Hawthorn captain Sam Mitchell faces the prospect of making a delayed start to the 2009 AFL season after he was reported in Saturday's grand final win over Geelong.

Mitchell was booked for making forceful front-on contact on Geelong star Gary Ablett in the second quarter at the MCG.

His report was the only one laid in the match, however the match review panel will scrutinise the game on Monday before deciding to lay any other reports.

Although Mitchell's main preoccupation over the next few days will be celebrating his side's premiership win, he faces a lengthy suspension if found guilty of the charge.

The midfielder entered the game with 93.75 carry-over points and the AFL warned last week that players who transgressed in the season decider could expect to be hit with heftier penalties than usual.

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