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.

00:56

Injury blow for Suns as Ballard gets stretchered off

Charlie Ballard is stretchered off the field following this marking contest midway through the fourth term

Published on May 6, 2023

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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Could Close have a case to answer after dangerous tackle?

Brad Close may attract MRO attention after being penalised for this tackle on Jordan Dawson

Published on May 6, 2023

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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Is Brockman in trouble after dangerous tackle penalty?

Tyler Brockman may find himself in hot water after his tackle on Brandon Walker was deemed dangerous

Published on May 6, 2023

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.