Hawthorn thought grandma would have been amused but the AFL tribunal did not see the humour as they found Jordan Lewis guilty of head-butting.

Lewis will miss the third-placed Hawks' big clash on Sunday with second side Collingwood and also the following week's match against Brisbane after a two-pronged defence strategy failed.

The Hawks first pleaded not guilty, arguing Lewis' contact with Essendon forward Angus Monfries was not hard enough to warrant a head-butting charge.

And if that failed, they also said it should be downgraded from intentional to negligent conduct.

Hawthorn argued that Monfries staged for a free kick when he dropped to the ground following the contact from Lewis.

"On the level of force, it wouldn't make grandma blush, but it might make her giggle in terms of the reaction of the (other) player," Hawks advocate Chris Townshend SC argued.

But the three-man tribunal jury took less than 10 minutes to find Lewis guilty of head-butting and that it was intentional.

The Hawks mounted a solid defence and clearly were surprised that they came away from the tribunal with nothing in their favour.

"I just didn't think there was a lot in it, unfortunately I won't be out there for the next couple of weeks, we move on," Lewis said after the hearing.

Hawthorn have a bye after the Lions game, meaning Lewis is out of action until round 18.

Lewis was one of Hawthorn's best players last Friday night in the win over Essendon.

He could have accepted a one-match ban had he taken the early plea.

The Hawks are already without Cyril Rioli (hamstring) and Brad Sewell (knee) for the Collingwood game, but will regain Lance Franklin from suspension.

Lewis argued he was trying to break away from a hold at a stoppage and that momentum propelled the side of his head into Monfries' face.

The two had a brief argument after the incident, with Lewis testifying he accused Monfries of staging for a free kick.

"I wouldn't think it was a headbutt .... more a brush," Lewis said.

"The impact was soft, to fall over from that impact, he was obviously staging for a free kick."

Tribunal advocate Andrew Tinney argued that the vision of the incident showed Lewis briefly glancing in Monfries' direction before the contact was made.

"This (was) a considerable distance removed from the spirit of football," Tinny said of the incident.

West Coast have the bye this weekend, so key forward Quinten Lynch will go to the tribunal next Tuesday night to contest his rough conduct charge.

Lynch took an early plea for striking Carlton onballer Marc Murphy, but was charged with rough conduct against the same player.

He has nothing to lose, because he receives a two-match ban if the tribunal case is unsuccessful and that also would have been the penalty with an early plea.

Lynch received a reprimand and 45 carryover points for the striking charge.

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