Jacob van Rooyen spoils Charlie Ballard during the R8 match between Melbourne and Gold Coast at Heritage Bank Stadium on May 6, 2023. Picture: AFL Photos

MELBOURNE young gun Jacob van Rooyen is facing a two-match suspension over the high contact that led to Gold Coast's Charlie Ballard being taken off the ground on a stretcher.

Ballard was hurt but not concussed in the final-quarter incident at Heritage Bank Stadium on Saturday night.

Van Rooyen appeared to make a genuine attempt at spoiling the ball in the marking contest.

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But he caught Ballard high and his action was still considered careless conduct and high impact by AFL match review officer Michael Christian.

The grading resulted in a two-match ban that cannot be reduced with an early guilty plea.

If he doesn't mount a successful challenge, van Rooyen's suspension would cost him the spot in the team he has held since his impressive debut in round three.

The 20-year-old - a first-round draft pick last year - has kicked 11 goals in six senior matches.

Geelong's Brad Close and Hawthorn's Tyler Brockman are both facing one-match bans for rough conduct.

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The pair were cited over dangerous tackles on Adelaide's Jordan Dawson and Fremantle's Brandon Walker respectively.

Both incidents were assessed as careless conduct, medium impact and high contact.

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Adelaide's Rory Laird can accept a $2000 fine for rough conduct on Geelong's Tanner Bruhn.

Port Adelaide forward Junior Rioli faces a nervous wait for Sunday's match review findings after his high contact with Jordan Ridley behind play led to the Essendon defender being substituted out of Sunday's Adelaide Oval contest.