The AFL season from hell continues for Melbourne, who have lost experienced midfielder Colin Sylvia for three matches on a striking charge.
Gold Coast utility Jared Brennan was concussed and taken from the field on a stretcher after Sylvia collected him with an elbow to the back of the head during Sunday’s 10-goal win to the Suns.
Sylvia’s bad record increases the penalty to four games but it remains at three if he decides to accept the charge and not go to the tribunal.
Geelong midfielder James Kelly is out for two games after the match review panel charged him with rough conduct against Brendon Goddard – even though the Essendon star applauded the hit.
Goddard went on Twitter to praise the shirtfront that Kelly laid on him during Friday night’s win to the Cats.
But the panel had a different view, saying it was reckless and high contact.
Like Sylvia, Kelly has a poor record and cannot reduce the penalty with an early plea.
But the suspension remains at two matches whether or not he accepts the charge.
Collingwood defender Heath Shaw can take a one-game ban for striking Fremantle agitator Hayden Ballantyne to the groin.
Ballantyne immediately turned to the umpire after the incident during Saturday night’s game and said “he punched me in the nuts”.
Shaw received a two-match penalty, but an early plea takes it down to one.
Sylvia’s teammate Chris Dawes, Port Adelaide key forward Jay Schulz, Western Bulldogs utility Liam Picken and Greater Western Sydney midfielder Rhys Palmer can all accept reprimands for their striking charges.
Sydney star Adam Goodes was cleared of an incident on Saturday night when he tangled legs with Hawthorn defender Josh Gibson.
The panel ruled Goodes was making a legitimate attempt to kick the ball, rather than trying to slide into the contest.
Gibson was limping after the incident but played out the match.
The panel also decided not to proceed with the match-day report against Western Bulldogs utility Mark Austin for making forceful front-on contact with North Melbourne’s Leigh Adams.