The Brisbane Lions and Carlton must decide whether to accept suspensions to key players amid rough starts to the AFL season or challenge what appear to be big fights to have their players cleared.

Lions defender Justin Leppitsch has been issued with a two-game suspension for an off-the-ball strike on St Kilda's Brendon Goddard, while the match review panel imposed a one-game ban on Blues full-forward Brendan Fevola for engaging in rough conduct against Sydney's Brett Kirk.

Although Leppitsch's indiscretion was serious enough to warrant 425 demerit points, which would normally result in a four-game suspension, the 226-game backman can halve that penalty with an early plea because he has a good recent record.

Leppitsch was charged with a level five strike against Goddard at Telstra Dome last Thursday night, as the panel deemed his contact to be intentional, high, behind play and of medium impact.

His penalty was reduced to three games because as he has not been suspended since he struck then-Saint Peter Everitt in 2000.

An early guilty plea would further reduce the penalty from three to two games, and sideline him from clashes against Richmond and West Coast.

But complicating the issue is the Lions' mediocre start to the season, which has included two defeats and some worrying signs in defence, as Brisbane was badly undermanned in the back half in both its losses.

Falling back on a good record is something Carlton must wish Fevola could do, as the forward's recent indiscretions actually added to his penalty.

The Blue's contact on Kirk drew 125 demerit points, which would normally be enough for a player to avoid suspension through an early plea of guilty, as it would reduce the total by 25 per cent.

But Fevola's bad recent record, which included four games suspended in the past three years, increased his penalty by 30 per cent and also brought a further 40 residual points - and his total demerit points reached 202.50.

Carlton, which has also lost two of its first three, play Hawthorn in the round four opener on Friday night.

The Lions and Blues have until 11am (AEST) Tuesday to inform the league of their intentions.

Spokesman from both clubs said the decisions would be made on Tuesday.

St Kilda ruckman Cain Ackland was charged with a level one striking offence against Lion Jamie Charman, but can accept a reprimand and play against Port Adelaide in round four.

A report against Geelong's David Johnson was thrown out because his contact on Hawthorn's Luke Hodge was ruled a push and not a strike.

No action was taken against players involved in scuffles at three-quarter time in the Lions-Saints game and at three-quarter time in Sunday's Port-Fremantle game.

There was also no investigation launched into an incident from the Essendon-Bulldogs game, in which Bulldog Matthew Robbins suffered a cut requiring six stitches under his left eye.

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