Apologetic St Kilda star Leigh Montagna will miss Sunday's big AFL clash against Hawthorn after accepting a one-match suspension for bumping injured Carlton midfielder Ed Curnow.

Curnow injured his right shoulder in the opening quarter of the Blues' three-point victory at Etihad Stadium and is likely to be sidelined for 3-4 weeks.

Montagna bumped into the young Blue's injured shoulder before Curnow left the field to seek medical attention.

The Saints midfielder was charged with making unreasonable or unnecessary contact with an injured player.

He risked being banned for two weeks had he unsuccessfully contested the charge at the tribunal on Wednesday night.

Montagna apologised to Curnow on Tuesday.

"It was definitely not my intention to cause any further distress to Curnow when I checked him while moving towards the contest," said Montagna.

"It was a split-second decision taken with no malicious intent.

"I agree that it is unacceptable to make contact with an injured player, even in the direct field of play, and therefore accept the one-match suspension."

The tribunal will not be required to sit on Wednesday after Montagna and all the players involved in a quarter-time melee from the Etihad Stadium match lodged early guilty pleas.

Carlton skipper Chris Judd received the biggest fine of $3000 for starting the melee.

Saint Jason Gram was docked $1800, while teammates David Armitage and Sam Gilbert and Blues Aaron Joseph, Heath Scotland, Mitch Robinson and March Murphy were all slugged $1200.

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