Podsiadly, Hunt facing AFL bans
Premiership favourites Geelong face the prospect of restructuring their finals forward line without the feelgood story of the AFL season, James Podsiadly.
Podsiadly, a mature-aged rookie made good at 28, has been hit with a two-game ban by the match review panel which would rule him out of the Cats' first finals game.
He was charged for crashing into the head of Carlton midfielder Bryce Gibbs during the Cats' 42-point win at Etihad Stadium last weekend.
He cannot reduce the penalty below two matches even with an early guilty plea.
Geelong will decide on Tuesday morning whether to fight Podsiadly's ban and attempt to have the key forward freed to play in week one of the finals.
The Cats were also hit with another blow, with defender Josh Hunt given a one-match ban for rough conduct.
His slinging to the ground of Blues forward Jarrad Waite earned the ire of the panel.
If Hunt is banned it would keep him out of the Cats' final home-and-away clash against West Coast at Skilled Stadium on Saturday.
But he would able to return for Geelong's first finals game the following week.
Collingwood tall Leigh Brown has also been charged with striking and faces a one-match ban - perhaps opening the way for out-of-favour ruck-forward Josh Fraser to play his 200th AFL game this weekend against Hawthorn.
Brown was charged with striking Adelaide's Graham Johncock during the fourth quarter of the Magpies' three-point win.
Fraser would be the logical replacement for Brown should Collingwood accept the ban, or fail to have it overturned.
Sydney defender Paul Bevan can accept a reprimand for rough conduct against Western Bulldogs midfielder Ryan Griffen.
All have until Tuesday to decide whether to fight their penalties at the AFL Tribunal.
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