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Hodge referred directly to AFL Tribunal

Hawthorn skipper Luke Hodge will front the AFL Tribunal on Tuesday night for his elbow on North Melbourne’s Andrew Swallow.

Hodge floored Swallow with a swinging elbow after being dragged away from an incident by the Kangaroos captain.

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The Match Review Panel decided to refer Hodge directly to the Tribunal, a move usually reserved for more serious offences.

Teammate Jordan Lewis can accept a two-match ban with an early guilty plea for his swinging round-arm to the head of Todd Goldstein in a marking contest.

Gold Coast’s Stephen May can accept a two-match rough conduct ban for a high bump that left Brisbane captain Tom Rockliff concussed in Saturday’s Q-Clash.

The Hodge and Lewis incidents in the first quarter were the big talking points from Saturday night’s bruising clash at Etihad Stadium.

Hodge’s case comes a fortnight after Carlton defender Chris Yarran became the first player to front the tribunal under the revised system.

He was also referred directly, pleaded guilty to striking Essendon forward Paul Chapman and has one match still to serve of a three-game ban.

Hodge is in significant trouble, particularly given the reasons why the MRP made the assessment of high impact.

The AFL said the panel had referred to the tribunal guideline that “strong consideration will be given to the potential to cause serious injury”.

The incident was also assessed as intentional.

An early guilty plea and the resultant ban means Lewis will miss the games against GWS and Melbourne, where the Hawks will start comfortable favourites.

He will return for the round-eight grand final rematch against Sydney.

Richmond backman Alex Rance can accept a $1000 fine for throwing the ball into Geelong captain Joel Selwood’s face.

Brisbane midfielder Nick Robertson was offered a $1000 penalty for striking Gold Coast ruckman Tom Nicholls.

But Melbourne defender Colin Garland was cleared of the heavy bump that forced Fremantle captain Matthew Pavlich out of Sunday’s match.

And Demon Lynden Dunn was found to have no case to answer after he kneed Fremantle forward Michael Walters in the head.

– with AAP

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