Fremantle’s Hayden Ballantyne can accept a two-match ban for striking Geelong’s Paul Chapman, the AFL’s match review panel announced on Monday.
Ballantyne was involved in several clashes with Cats players during Saturday night’s round-one game in Perth, including an incident in which Matthew Scarlett punched the Dockers forward in the face.
Scarlett was reported during the third quarter following his clash with Ballantyne and the six-time All-Australian’s suspension will remain at three matches even with an early plea because of his previous poor record.
Ballantyne’s sanction will remain at two matches even with an early guilty plea, also because of his history with the tribunal.
The report against Ballantyne was laid after reviewing video evidence and a medical report from Geelong. Chapman doubled over in pain and threw up on the ground after the hit.
Geelong’s James Kelly can accept a reprimand and 93.75 points towards his future record with an early plea for striking Fremantle’s Tendai Mzungu during the first quarter of Saturday’s game.
St Kilda’s Dean Polo faces a one-match ban, even with an early guilty plea, for a charge of rough conduct against Port Adelaide’s Danyle Pearce in Sunday’s match in Adelaide.
A match-day report against Carlton’s Jarrad Waite for making forceful contact from front-on against Richmond’s Dylan Grimes was withdrawn.
A striking charge against Geelong’s James Podsiadly and a match-day report against North Melbourne’s Sam Wright were also withdrawn.