Sydney's Mark Powell was suspended for one match by the AFL Tribunal for striking Richmond's Greg Tivendale.

The 19-year-old from Lavington pleaded not guilty to the charge, laid during the third quarter of Saturday's practice match at the SCG.

The tribunal found he made a "reckless attempt" at spoiling a mark, hitting Tivendale's neck and head with a swinging right arm.

The Richmond wingman was uninjured by the contact, but went to the bench dazed after crashing to the ground.

Umpire Corin Rowe was sure Powell hit the side of Tivendale's head, but Powell said his arm initially made contact with his opponent's shoulder.

"I thought the only way I could reach it was to come around the side but I slipped up his shoulder," Powell said.

Powell, Sydney's top pick in the 2001 National Draft, is a key position player yet to make his senior debut after being troubled by groin and hamstring injuries last year.

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