Brodie Grundy accepts two-week ban for Ben Brown tackle, no appeals from Mitch Duncan, Tom Hawkins, Zach Merrett

COLLINGWOOD has decided not to challenge the two-match suspension handed down to Brodie Grundy while Essendon and Geelong chose not to appeal bans on their stars.

Brodie Grundy has been suspended for two weeks for this tackle on Ben Brown. Picture: AAP

THE AFL Tribunal will not sit tonight after all players accepted their bans.

This means Geelong will be without star duo Tom Hawkins and Mitch Duncan for a fortnight and one week respectively, while Brodie Grundy will miss two weeks for his tackle.

Essendon has decided it won’t challenge the one-match ban handed down to Zach Merrett by the MRP.

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Brodie Grundy has been suspended for two weeks for this tackle on Ben Brown. Picture: AAP

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The gun midfielder has accepted the penalty after his strike on Lochie Plowman in the Dons’ win over Carlton on the weekend.

The Dons decided the risk was too great, with the potential for the penalty to be two matches if the challenge was unsuccessful.

The incident was assessed as intentional conduct with medium impact to the body. That equated to a two-match ban, but Merrett’s early plea means he will spend one week on the sidelines.

Merrett hasn’t missed a match since 2015 and has averaged 31 possessions per game this season.

Grundy will miss the Magpies’ upcoming trip to face Port Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval, as well as a round 22 clash with Geelong as a result of the suspension.

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Zach Merrett will miss next week’s game after his suspension. Picture: Getty Images

It is the first time in Grundy’s 81-game career he will miss a game due to suspension.

Duncan was charged with intentional conduct and medium impact to the body after a clash with Sydney’s Tom Papley last Friday night, earning him a one-week ban with an early plea.

Papley was in the spotlight last week after Luke Hodge was charged with striking him, an offence the MRP deemed careless conduct with low impact to the body.

Originally published as Brodie Grundy accepts two-week ban for Ben Brown tackle, no appeals from Mitch Duncan, Tom Hawkins, Zach Merrett