Essendon legend James Hird has claimed Adam Cerra caused the head-high collision with Sam Durham by not using the 'correct technique'.
Durham collected Cerra in the head and shoulder region during the second quarter of the Bombers' eight-point loss to Carlton at the MCG on Sunday night.
While Cerra eventually passed his head injury assessment and returned to the game, Durham looks set to cop a suspension for his action.
However, Hird believes Durham wasn't at fault for the incident and claims if Cerra had have turned his body with the right technique, a serious collision wouldn't have occurred.
MORE: Sam Durham 'wheelchair' bump on Adam Cerra set for suspension
"I'm glad we're looking after the head, but that is a technique issue that Sam Durham is going to get penalised for."
— Footy on Nine (@FootyonNine) June 8, 2025
James Hird on the Durham-Cerra incident. #9FootyFurnace | Watch on Nine & 9Now 🖥️ pic.twitter.com/ZoFDz96MXc
"What's he (Cerra) doing going in with like that with his head down?" Hird said on Nine's Footy Furnace.
"I know it is weeks [suspension for Durham]. Sam has made a mistake and he shouldn't have gone in for the ball.
"But if two players go in with the correct technique, that [type of collision] is not happening.
"If Cerra goes in with the right technique, we have not got an issue.
"I'm glad we are looking after the head but that is a technique issue that Sam Durham is going to get penalised for."
Hird elaborated: "We know that, because Sam was second to the ball, he actually had to wait, just waited for Cerra to pick up the ball and then tackle him.
"I think players now know that's what they should have done [in this situation], but I think what we're saying is if Cerra had have used the right technique, no one would have had a problem."
Durham will find out his fate from the AFL Match Review Officer on Monday afternoon.