GEELONG'S Tom Hawkins is the first victim of the AFL's crackdown on punching, with the Match Review Panel slapping the key forward with a one-match ban for his jumper punch on Adelaide's Matt Crouch.  

Hawkins was charged with intentionally striking Crouch in Friday night's clash at Simonds Stadium, with the hit graded as low impact to the head, resulting in a two-match ban that was reduced to one with an early guilty plea.

The MRP was directed by the AFL to take a firmer stance on punches two weeks ago after Richmond captain Trent Cotchin and North Melbourne midfielder Ben Cunnington escaped suspension for intentional hits.

Speaking over the weekend, Hawkins said he did not intend to strike Crouch high, while coach Chris Scott believed the action was more a push than a strike. The Cats revealed on Monday night that they would accept the one-match ban.

The Tribunal has not sat this season, with the last hearing in round 13 last year when Brisbane Lions midfielder Tom Rockliff successfully challenged a $1500 fine for striking.

Hawkins will miss the Cats' round 13 clash against West Coast at Domain Stadium.

AFL Football operations manager Simon Lethlean announced the League's crackdown on punches two weeks ago, saying: "If players are going to take the action of punching a player they do so at their own risk now … we won't tolerate it".

MRP member Jimmy Bartel summed up the new stance last week when he told radio station RSN: "The bar has been lowered as far as force … we are going to be tougher on them".

Hawkins was the only player suspended in round 11, with former Hawthorn skipper Luke Hodge accepting a $1000 fine for a dangerous tackle on Aaron Young that was graded careless conduct with low impact to the body.