ST KILDA defender Zac Dawson has been suspended for two weeks after the AFL tribunal found him guilty of a rough conduct charge against Adelaide’s Brad Symes.

Dawson will miss this week’s game against the Western Bulldogs and the following week against the Sydney Swans.

Dawson’s shepherd on Symes in the second quarter of Sunday’s match was classified by the match review panel as reckless conduct, medium impact and body contact drawing five activation points and 225 demerit points.

He chose not to accept a one-match ban for an early plea.

Dawson has been one of St Kilda’s surprise packets this year. He has played every game since being elevated off the rookie list before round one.

St Kilda football manager Greg Hutchison said the club would have to wear the decision to challenge the charge and take the extra week’s penalty.

“We are obviously disappointed with the result but we have to live by it and move on,” Hutchison said.

“Zac is taking it on the chin, like he would. We just need to move on and go forward and hopefully get through the next couple of weeks without him.”

Earlier in the day, Dawson’s teammate Justin Koschitzke accepted a one-match suspension for striking Adelaide’s Richard Douglas.