AFL rules around dangerous tackles will again be put to the test amid the ongoing focus on concussion, with Hawthorn's Will Day and Geelong's Gary Rohan set to challenge their respective suspensions.
Both players were charged with rough conduct over tackles in separate incidents during Monday's clash at the MCG.
Day was handed a two-match ban for his dump tackle on Brad Close, which was assessed as high impact.
Rohan's sling tackle on Changkuoth Jiath was rated medium impact, resulting in a one-match ban.
Both tackles were graded careless conduct and high contact after the heads of Close and Jiath hit the turf.
Day and Rohan will front the tribunal on Thursday night.
Day's efforts to have his incident's high-impact rating downgraded could be helped by Close saying he was not hurt by the Hawthorn midfielder.
"I took my free kick and ran off and kicked it forward, so no dramas there," Close told RSN on Tuesday.
All forms of head-high contact have been under the microscope this season against the backdrop of a growing focus on concussion in world sport.
The AFL is facing legal action from past players, who are seeking compensation over health issues they say stemmed from on-field concussions.
Richmond defender Nathan Broad was handed a four-match ban by the tribunal last month for his sling tackle on Adelaide's Patrick Parnell, while Port Adelaide defender Ryan Burton accepted a two-match ban for his dump tackle on Collingwood's Jamie Elliott.
Burton's offence was graded at the same level as Day's tackle on Close.
Meanwhile, Hawthorn big man Lloyd Meek has found an ally in Collingwood's Mason Cox after he was fined $3000 for kneeing Geelong's Mark Blicavs at a ruck contest.
Cats coach Chris Scott was furious, calling on the AFL to do more to stamp out the kneeing tactic, which he called "so dangerous" for players.
But Magpies ruck-forward Cox said on his podcast, The Mason Cox Show: "If you sit there and say we're not allowed to put our knees up anymore, then what's the point of the ruck contest? We might as well just have a ball up in the middle of (the ground).
"It's jumping with your knee to protect yourself. That's why (ruckmen) wear shin guards, because you know someone is going to be trying to literally injure you.
"You might break a rib. I've broken ribs ... it's part of being a ruckman."
Geelong's Rhys Stanley missed one match with a rib injury after he was kneed by Carlton's Tom De Koning at a ruck contest in round two.
De Koning was offered a $3000 fine but challenged the 'kneeing' charge and had it dismissed by the tribunal.
