St Kilda's early-season woes have continued, with full-back Zac Dawson failing at the AFL tribunal to have his one-match ban downgraded.

The Saints, who have just one win and a draw from their opening five games, will now be without the key defender for Monday night's clash against Carlton.

While Dawson had pleaded guilty to striking Adelaide forward Chris Knights, the Saints tried to argue at Tuesday's hearing the contact was reckless rather than intentional.

But the tribunal jury took less than 10 minutes to uphold the original match review panel assessment.

"It's certainly a disappointing outcome, I thought we presented a really good, strong case and unfortunately in these circumstances it didn't go our way," Saints football manager Greg Hutchison said.

"He was obviously involved in a little bit of niggle ... we thought it was really important we support our player in this instance.

"We move on, Zac gets a week and we go out next week and play Carlton without our full-back, it gives someone else an opportunity.

"It (the verdict) could have gone line ball, either way."

If the Saints had been successful, the penalty would have been reduced to a reprimand plus carryover points and Dawson would have been available for the Blues match.

He was facing a one-match ban regardless of an early plea, meaning there was no risk in taking the case to the tribunal.

Dawson argued he was wheeling around with his left arm back to remonstrate with Crows opponents when he collected Knights in the midriff.

The Saint said he did not mean to punch Knights and said it was more a case of the Adelaide defender making contact with the back of his hand.

"I obviously made contact with his stomach, but it wasn't my intention to punch him," Dawson said.

"I thought we were both coming towards each other.

"It was more of a glance than a full punch."

Dawson was responding to contact from his direct opponent Kurt Tippett as the players jostled just before the opening bounce.

Knights had come between Dawson and Tippett when the Saint made the contact.

Knights went to his haunches holding his stomach, but was soon back on his feet.

Also on Tuesday, Tippett accepted a reprimand for striking, while team-mate Sam Jacobs and Melbourne youngster Luke Tapscott also took reprimands for their rough conduct charges.

Richmond defender Richard Tambling is out for one game on a striking charge and Western Bulldogs midfielder Ryan Griffen was fined for negligent umpire contact.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP