Sydney superstar Lance Franklin could be in trouble for a hit to the throat of Richmond defender Alex Rance on Thursday night.

The incident occurred early in the third term, and came amid a night of feeling between the pair, who were engaged in niggle throughout the contest.

Rance was laying on top of Franklin with a forearm on his head, when Franklin reacted with a swift open-handed jab to Rance's throat.

Rance threw his head back and was pushed over, then doubled over in pain, seemingly struggling to breathe.

Rance has come under fire this season for diving after being fined by AFL match review officer Michael Christian for throwing himself forward with only slight contact from Essendon's Shaun McKernan in round 11.

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Camera Icon Buddy Franklin and Alex Rance tangled all night.

Coach Damien Hardwick later slammed the media for coverage of Rance after the diving incident, labelling "farcical" and "ridiculous".

However, the internet was divided on whether Rance dived or Franklin's hit was sufficient force to impact him.

What do you think? Did Rance dive or did Buddy whack him hard enough? Watch the incident in the player above.