The AFL tribunal continued the mid-season misery for St Kilda and Essendon, with Saints full forward Fraser Gehrig and Bombers fullback Dustin Fletcher among four suspensions.

St Kilda lost Gehrig, this year's leading goalkicker, defender Luke Penny and small forward Brent Guerra for Sunday's game against Melbourne at the MCG.

Fletcher's poor run at the tribunal continued when he was given a one-match ban for tripping Kangaroos onballer Anthony Stevens, meaning he misses the Bombers' vital game on Saturday against Richmond.

The Saints have lost three lost of their last four games after opening the season with a 10-match winning streak, while Essendon is trying to snap a run of three straight losses.

Tonight's penalties meant all 11 charges against St Kilda players this season have resulted in guilty verdicts.

"I'm not making any comment, I'm too scared of what I might say," said Saints football manager Matthew Rendell as he left the tribunal.

Gehrig was banned for two matches for striking Port Adelaide defender Matthew Bishop, Guerra received a one-match ban for striking Michael Wilson and Penny looked particularly unlucky when he received a two-match penalty for engaging in rough play against Gavin Wanganeen.

Tonight's marathon session, which went for five hours, was much better news for the Power.

Port midfielder Josh Carr and defender Wilson were acquitted of striking charges.

Fletcher was the first AFL player in 10 years to be reported for tripping by hand and he suffered the same penalty as Hawthorn's Paul Cooper received in 1994 for the offence.

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