Match Review Panel verdict for Round 1: Steele Sidebottom suspended

COLLINGWOOD has been dealt another blow ahead of its huge Round 2 clash against Richmond as the match review panel delivers its verdict on eight incidents.

NAB Challenge, AFL : Double Header Western Bulldogs v Collingwood Steele Sidebottom & Caleb Daniel Picture:Wayne Ludbey

COLLINGWOOD has been dealt another blow ahead of its huge Round 2 clash against Richmond.

Steele Sidebottom can accept a two-match suspension for his high bump on Sydney midfielder Dan Hannebery.

Collingwood is already reeling from a long-term injury to star onballer Dane Swan and also has Nathan Brown and Marley Williams under fitness clouds.

The match review panel assessed Sidebottom’s bump as careless and medium impact, resulting in a two-match ban.

A bad record increases Sidebottom’s penalty to three weeks which can be cut back to two with an early guilty plea.

The suspension will sideline Sidebottom for matches against the Tigers and St Kilda.

Meanwhile, Gold Coast’s Tom Lynch was docked $1000 for striking Bomber Mark Baguley with a late spoil to the head, Demon Jeff Garlett was fined the same amount for striking Giant Phil Davis and Jarryn Geary is also $1000 out of pocket for rough conduct against Robbie Gray.

But a match-day charge against Crow Matt Crouch was thrown out, along with Matthew Pavlich’s report for rough conduct against Easton Wood.

Lion Mitch Robinson is also in the clear after the panel deemed he tried to minimise contact with Eagle Xavier Ellis.