Richmond midfielder Reece Conca is free to play in the Tigers’ AFL season opener against Carlton after accepting a three-match ban for an off-the-ball hit on North Melbourne’s Leigh Adams.
Conca will be able to serve all three weeks of the suspension in the pre-season competition, even if – as is likely – Richmond don’t advance to the NAB Cup grand final.
He was reported for engaging in rough conduct in a behind-the-play clash during Friday night’s NAB Cup opener which left Adams dazed.
The initial four-match ban was cut to three weeks with the early guilty plea, freeing the 19-year-old Conca to play in the MCG game against Carlton on March 29.
In other tribunal news, North’s Lindsay Thomas accepted a reprimand for striking Conca during the second half of the clash at Etihad Stadium.
Fremantle’s Josh Mellington and Essendon’s Leroy Jetta have been docked $900 apiece for wrestling.