Collingwood has endured a mixed night at the AFL tribunal, gambling and losing on Alan Didak but scoring a big win with Scott Burns.

The Magpies failed in the their bid to have Didak's striking charge reduced from reckless to negligent.

That meant instead of a one-match ban, he will miss the next two matches.

But Burns, one of Collingwood's most important midfielders, will play in Saturday night's big match against Brisbane at the 'Gabba after the Magpies successfully argued against his rough conduct charge.

"It was an interesting case, but we felt that he really had no alternative to do what he did and fortunately the tribunal saw it that way," Collingwood football manager Neil Balme said of Burns.

"It would have been pretty harsh on him."

Balme also admitted the club gambled on Didak's case and said there would be no appeal.

"Really, we took a bit of a punt to try to get him off," Balme said.

"Obviously it was not anything very serious, but he was going to get one and we thought we'll have a go at none and we got two.

"We were trying to get him up for this week, (it's) a bit disappointing."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP