HAWTHORN forward Ty Vickery has been handed a potentially season-ending suspension by the VFL Tribunal on Monday for striking an opponent in Sunday's qualifying final against Port Melbourne.
Vickery has accepted a one-match suspension for striking Hugh Sandilands during Box Hill's win, which saw the Hawks' VFL affiliate progress through to a preliminary final.
The tall forward was originally handed a two-match ban when the MRP's results were released on Monday afternoon, but this was due to an administrative error that saw the VFL apply a bad record. His charge was amended on Monday evening.
Vickery acceptance of a one-match ban for an early guilty makes him available for the VFL Grand Final if Box Hill wins through to the decider.
Vickery, who had been grappling with Sandilands for much of the match, threw an elbow back at a stoppage, making high contact to his opponent and forcing him from the ground with the help of trainers.
Sandilands was able to return to the field, with the incident graded intentional conduct with low impact to the head.
The Hawks could choose to challenge the ban at the VFL Tribunal on Tuesday night and argue Vickery's conduct was careless and not intentional, potentially making him available for the preliminary final.
If they fail, Vickery's ban would be increased to two weeks, potentially ruling the 27-year-old out for one match early next season.
Vickery was suspended for one match last month for striking Port Melbourne's Brody Mihocek.
The former Richmond forward comes out of contract at the end of next year.