THE BRISBANE Lions have reluctantly accepted midfield star Dayne Zorko's one-match suspension for striking Carlton defender Lachie Plowman.

The Lions were seething at the Match Review Panel's grading of medium impact for the intentional punch and were investigating avenues for a challenge on Monday evening, but in the end decided against a Tribunal appeal. 

Read the MRP's full statement from round 18

Zorko risked a two-match suspension if any Lions' challenge was unsuccessful, missing games against West Coast (Domain Stadium) and the Western Bulldogs (Gabba).

It is understood the 28-year-old believes he struck Plowman with an open hand, making contact with the base of his palm to Plowman's stomach and forcing the Blues defender to the ground.

Plowman stayed down and was struggling to catch his breath after the strike but was able to play on, with a medical report from Carlton used in Monday's findings.

Zorko also fined $1000 for striking draftee Sam Petrevski-Seton.

The MRP had laid 17 charges for intentional strikes to the body since the AFL announced a crackdown on gut and jumper punches following round nine.

All were graded low impact, with the MRP fining players who would otherwise have escaped without any penalty at all.  

Zorko is the first player to have a strike to the body graded as medium impact since the crackdown was implemented by the League.  

Richmond captain Trent Cotchin escaped suspension for a forceful strike to the stomach of St Kilda forward Jack Lonie in round 16.

The Zorko punch was viewed as comparable to North Melbourne midfielder Ben Cunnington's strike on Melbourne's Bernie Vince in round nine.

Cunnington escaped suspension for that strike and was fined $1000, prompting a directive from the AFL to penalise intentional punches with more severity. 

"Clearly the deterrent of fines is not stopping on-field punching in various forms," then football manager Simon Lethlean said at the time.  

Zorko's punch to Plowman's midriff

Cotchin's hit on Jack Lonie

Cunnington's strike on Vince