GEELONG champion Gary Ablett has been reported after collecting Essendon star Dylan Shiel in the head with his forearm. 

Ablett's elbow made contact with Shiel's head shortly after the Bomber disposed of the ball in the first term at the MCG.

FULL MATCH COVERAGE Cats v Bombers

Shiel went down in some discomfort immediately following the incident, but got up and continued playing.

If Match Review Officer Michael Christian assesses the incident as careless conduct with medium impact and high contact, Ablett will miss one week. 

Cats coach Chris Scott said after the match that the contact was "insignificant" in his response to a question about Shiel playing out the game, with the star Bomber collecting a game-high 33 touches. 

"He didn't just play out the game he played pretty well. He played out the next two seconds without any problems, it was significant as insignificant force can get I would've thought," Scott said. 

"But again, who cares about my opinion." 

Scott said the MRO's chart would be the determining factor in whether the action warranted suspension. 

"I don't think anyone cares about my opinion, maybe you (the media) do," Scott said.

"But I don't think the person (Christian) who makes the decision really cares. 

"I've had a bit of a look at it. What we have now is a really clear chart which is easy to get guidance from. That gives me comfort but there's still a bit of interpretation there isn't there?"

Ablett has never been reported for striking or suspended during his 328-game, 18-season career.

The 34-year-old has appeared at the Tribunal twice during his career, one for negligent umpire contact where he was fined $900 in 2011 while playing for Gold Coast and a rough conduct charge on Eagle David Wirrpanda was thrown out when playing for Geelong in 2006.

Gary Ablett's strike on Dylan Shiel. Picture: Channel Seven