Collingwood skipper Nick Maxwell’s season will hinge on his teammates making the AFL grand final unless he can fight and beat suspension.
Maxwell will not play again this year unless Collingwood make the grand final if he accepts a two-match ban for rough conduct against Hawthorn’s Paul Puopolo.
He has until Tuesday to decide whether to take the matter to the AFL Tribunal, and would risk a three-match ban if he contests.
Maxwell would miss Saturday night’s semi-final against West Coast at the MCG at the very least.
And the match review panel has also dealt West Coast a blow ahead of that match, slugging forward Quinten Lynch with a one-game ban for charging in his side’s win over North Melbourne.
Lynch’s ban cannot be reduced with an early guilty plea due to his previous poor record.
Collingwood’s Chris Tarrant can accept a reprimand for striking Hawthorn’s Lance Franklin.
If he makes an early guilty plea, he would be free to play against West Coast on Saturday night.
Hawthorn ruck-forward Jarryd Roughead will also be clear to play in the Hawks’ preliminary final in a fortnight if he pleads guilty to a rough conduct charge.
He can accept a reprimand for his first quarter tangle with Collingwood’s Chris Dawes.
North Melbourne veteran Brent Harvey faces a four-match ban from the start of next season over two separate striking incidents.
Harvey was charged with striking West Coast’s Daniel Kerr and Adam Selwood.
With North’s defeat by West Coast ending their season, Harvey would have to serve any suspension in 2013.
Geelong defender James Kelly is also facing a one-match ban to start next year for making forceful front-on contact against Fremantle’s Tendai Mzungu in their weekend final.
Collingwood defender Heath Shaw and Hawthorn’s Brad Sewell have been hit with wrestling fines of $900.
Adelaide’s Patrick Dangerfield can accept a $900 fine if he pleads guilty to making negligent contact with an umpire.
All have until lunchtime Tuesday to accept their penalties, or fight the matters at the tribunal.