STAR Collingwood defender Brayden Maynard will miss the first two games of the season after his AFL tribunal challenge failed.
The 25-year-old was given a two-match suspension for striking GWS forward Daniel Lloyd in the Magpies’ pre-season loss on Sunday.
The incident was assessed as careless, high impact and high contact by the match review officer.
Maynard will miss Collingwood’s season-opener against St Kilda on March 18 and a meeting with Adelaide in round two.
During Tuesday night’s half-hour hearing, the Magpies tried to overturn the careless rating, saying Maynard executed a legitimate spoil and he tried to minimise his contact with Lloyd.
The Giants forward suffered concussion, but according to the club medical report tended at the hearing he should be available for Round 1.
After 20 minutes of deliberations, the new-look tribunal jury found Maynard’s spoil was careless.
Long-time tribunal advocate Jeff Gleeson QC is the new chairman, with Wayne Henwood and Jason Johnson joining him on the jury.
Previously, the tribunal was a chair and three jury members.
All other reported players accepted their penalties.
Maynard’s Collingwood teammate Nathan Kreuger was also suspended for one game for engaging in rough conduct against Giants veteran Callan Ward.
The incident-packed pre-season match also led to GWS ruckman Braydon Preuss being offered a one-match suspension for a dangerous tackle on Magpies counterpart Brodie Grundy.
Preuss will miss the season-opener against cross-town rivals Sydney in a major blow, with the Giants counting on him to fill the ruck void left by retired big man Shane Mumford.
Giants teammates Stephen Coniglio (tripping) and Tanner Bruhn (forceful front-on contact) accepted $1000 and $2000 fines respectively for lesser offences.
Meanwhile, West Coast defender Alex Witherden has accepted a one-match ban for engaging in rough conduct against Fremantle’s Andrew Brayshaw in Sunday’s pre-season derby.
Dockers forward Michael Walters was offered a $2000 fine for engaging in rough conduct against Eagles wingman Andrew Gaff.
(C) AAP 2022
