Sydney key forward Barry Hall has received a seven-match ban at the AFL tribunal for the punch that concussed West Coast opponent Brent Staker.

After a hearing that went just over an hour, the three-man panel only took seven minutes to rule that the much-publicised incident should earn 790 demerit points.

That means Hall is out for seven games and also has 90 carry-over points, meaning he is only 10 points shy of another one-match suspension.

As expected, Hall pleaded guilty to the striking charge, which has attracted widespread media attention.

His counsel, Terry Forrest QC, argued Hall should receive a 25 per cent discount on the penalty for pleading guilty and tribunal chairman John Hassett strongly advised the jury that the plea should affect their decision.

After the hearing a remorseful Hall said he was satisfied with the outcome.

"Just in terms of the outcome I was prepared to cop whatever came my way," he said.

"Seven weeks we think's fair, as I said we were prepared to cop whatever came my way.

"I just want to take this opportunity to once again apologise to Brent Staker for the incident.

"It's unacceptable and I will try and better myself so it doesn't happen again."

Earlier, Fremantle defender Steven Dodd had his tripping charge against Richmond's Jack Riewoldt downgraded from intentional to reckless.

That means Dodd escaped with a reprimand, rather than the original one-match suspension.

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