An innocuous-looking midriff punch has added to the Western Bulldogs’ woes, ruling out Easton Wood for Sunday’s AFL match against Carlton.
The Bulldogs must decide by Tuesday lunchtime whether they will take the case to the tribunal.
Wood’s contact with Adelaide opponent Mitch McGovern was classed as low impact.
But Wood has been fined twice already this season for similar offences and this took him over the threshold to a one-game suspension.
Carlton will fancy their chances against the Bulldogs, whose premiership defence is misfiring.
The Bulldogs are 11th, a game outside the top eight, ahead of Sunday’s match against the improving Blues.
Wood’s ban contrasts with Richmond captain Trent Cotchin, who can accept a $1000 fine for striking St Kilda’s Jack Lonie in the stomach.
After half a season without any hearings, two cases were referred directly to the tribunal over the last fortnight.
Bachar Houli’s controversial hearing ended up going to appeal, with the AFL successfully appealing to have his two-game ban doubled.
Last week, Melbourne’s Tom Bugg was hit with a six-game suspension for striking.
St Kilda forward Tim Membrey risks a three-game ban is he appeals against his suspension for striking Richmond defender Dylan Grimes.
Membrey collected Grimes across the head while the Tigers backman was going for a mark and that earned him a two-game ban.
Collingwood midfielder Levi Greenwood was offered a one-game suspension for rough conduct after he made high contact with Essendon star Zach Merrett.