HAWTHORN will need to overcome Sydney without star forward Lance Franklin after the Club accepted his one-week ban for rough conduct.
Franklin was offered a two match suspension that could be reduced to one with an early plea by the Match Review Panel on Monday for his high bump on Nick Malceski on Friday night at ANZ Stadium.
It means the Hawks star won’t play in the Qualifying Final, but will return for either the Semi or Preliminary finals depending on the result at the MCG on Friday night.
Based on a medical report from Sydney medical staff, Franklin’s bump from the second quarter of Friday night’s match was assessed as negligent conduct (one point), medium impact (two points) and high contact (two points).
It was classified as a level two offence, drawing 225 demerit points and a two-match sanction that could be reduced by 25 per cent with an early plea.
It brings his sanction down to 168.75 points, a one-match ban and 68.75 carry-over points.