Carlton captain Chris Judd has been banned by the AFL Tribunal for four matches after being found guilty on Tuesday night of misconduct.

Judd received a penalty of 450 points.

The dual Brownlow Medallist’s case was referred directly to the tribunal after he pulled on the arm of North Melbourne’s Leigh Adams during the second quarter of Friday’s round-16 match at Etihad Stadium.

Adams, who immediately left the field for treatment to his partially dislocated shoulder, had been lying pinned and defenceless when his arm was manipulated by Judd, according to legal counsel Jeff Gleeson SC.

Judd claimed he was trying to assist his teammate Andrew Carrazzo in stripping the ball from Adams, but admitted his conduct was unacceptable.

Charged with intentional misconduct, Judd pleaded guilty to misconduct but said it was merely reckless.

Judd disputed his act was likely to bring the game into disrepute but admitted it may have appeared to be unsportsmanlike, although it wasn’t intended to be unsportsmanlike.

Gleeson said Judd had expressed genuine remorse but the fact that he hadn’t conceded to unsportsmanlike conduct meant he should not be eligible for a discount from Gleeson’s recommended penalty of at least four matches.

“Adams was pinned and defenceless. It caused Adams pain and a partial dislocation of the shoulder,” Gleeson said.

When asked if his pull on Adams’ arm was a vigorous one, Judd snapped: “Compared to what?

“While I had hold of his arm I was focusing on whether Carrazzo was able to strip the ball.”

Judd said when he looked up and realised Adams’ arm was in an unprotected position he let it go.

“I just wouldn’t have grabbed his arm if I had my time over again,” he said.

“I am not trying to wriggle out of this. That’s why I’m here tonight, to cop my whack.”

After Judd was found guilty, player advocate Simon Wilson QC said a penalty of two to three matches would be proper.

Reporting boundary umpire Mark Foster also said he felt Adams was defenceless.

“I thought it was an unsportsmanlike act and it had the potential to cause serious injury,” Foster said.

Gleeson said Judd’s action was devoid of a football context, a suggestion Wilson described as fatuous.

Judd’s case was the first time a player’s report had been referred directly to the tribunal, without the option of a discounted penalty with an early guilty plea, in more than three years.

Also on Tuesday night, Brisbane defender Daniel Merrett was found guilty of charging St Kilda’s Nick Riewoldt in a marking contest and received a reprimand and a penalty of 93.75 points.

Merrett had been facing a two-game ban but his charge was downgraded from reckless to negligent.