Johnson, Dawson offered AFL bans

Geelong star Steve Johnson is in tribunal trouble again, meaning he will probably have to wait a week to play his 250th AFL match.

The three-time Cats premiership player and 2007 Norm Smith Medallist faces a one-match suspension for striking.

The match review panel charged him after an incident with former teammate Allen Christensen during Saturday’s win over Brisbane.

He shook hands with Christensen at the end of the game.

Johnson was due to reach the 250 milestone in Saturday night’s home game against Sydney – already looming as a massive fixture because it will probably feature the return of Adam Goodes.

The Cats utility would risk a two-game suspension if he took the case to the tribunal.

If Johnson accepts the penalty, it would mean he has missed 10 AFL games through suspension throughout his career.

Of current players, only Essendon’s Dustin Fletcher has a worse tribunal record.

Fremantle defender Zac Dawson faces a two-match AFL suspension for striking GWS forward Jeremy Cameron.

Dawson was playing his first senior game this season on Sunday when he elbowed Cameron’s face in the first quarter.

The suspension means Dawson will miss the round-20 Western Derby.

He risks a three-game ban if he takes the case to the tribunal.

Cameron had to leave the field for treatment and played out the match with his face heavily bandaged.

North Melbourne defender Michael Firrito has also been offered a one-match ban after the match review panel charged him with striking Carlton ruckman Matthew Kreuzer.

They are the only players facing suspension after the MRP handed out 14 charges.

Dawson was also fined $1000 for melee involvement, along with Cameron and Fremantle midfielder David Mundy.

GWS onballer Toby Greene received a $1500 fine for engaging in a melee because it was his second offence.

West Coast forward Mark LeCras is the latest finals-bound player who is now walking the tribunal tightrope.

A week after Hawks defender Josh Gibson was fined $1500 for a second offence, LeCras was offered the same penalty for rough conduct against Gold Coast’s Matt Shaw.

It means if LeCras is charged with a third offence, in most cases the penalty will automatically be a one-game suspension.

Hawks backman Brian Lake can accept a $1000 fine for rough conduct against Richmond ruck-forward Ty Vickery.

Melbourne onballer Nathan Jones faces a $1000 penalty for wrestling Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury.

And Geelong veteran James Kelly will be $1000 out of pocket for careless umpire contact.

Carlton defender Dylan Buckley was charged with misconduct against North Melbourne forward Lindsay Thomas and he can take the $1000 penalty.

The same applies for St Kilda’s Jack Steven after he made contact with Port Adelaide captain Travis Boak’s face.

And Steven’s teammate Jack Newnes was fined $1000 for striking Robbie Gray.

A match day report against Hawks defender James Frawley for rough conduct was thrown out.

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