Richmond star offered one-match AFL ban

Richmond star Brett Deledio has been offered a one-match ban by the AFL match review panel, while GWS onballer Tomas Bugg has been cleared of any wrongdoing over his collision with St Kilda’s Nick Riewoldt.

The Tigers’ veteran collected Carlton’s Simon White high as he attempted to gather the ball just seconds into Thursday night’s season-opener at the MCG.

Deledio was charged with engaging in rough conduct over the incident that was classified by the MRP as careless conduct with medium impact to the head.

The 27-year-old risks a two-match ban if he takes his case to the tribunal, but can miss just one game – against the Western Bulldogs – if he enters an early guilty plea.

Riewoldt was knocked out of Sunday’s clash with the Giants after Bugg cannoned into his back near a marking contest in the final term.

The Saints’ skipper was sent to hospital with a case of whiplash, and while the MRP said he should have earned a free kick, it also found that Bugg’s actions weren’t unreasonable under the circumstances.

The only other player to be offered a suspension from the first eight matches of the first round was Gold Coast’s Matt Shaw, who can accept a one-match sanction with an early plea for his high collision with Melbourne’s Dean Kent in the Suns’ season-opening loss to the Demons.

He also risks a two-match ban if he fights the charge at the tribunal and loses.

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