THE AFL'S heavy hand at the Tribunal and Appeals Board in the past fortnight has not deterred players from testing the limits as the Match Review Panel prepares for another busy week.
St Kilda forward Tim Membrey and Collingwood midfielder Levi Greenwood appear certain to be handed suspensions for high hits, while Richmond captain Trent Cotchin continues to walk a fine line with his on-field aggression.
Despite being a clear example of the intentional strike the AFL is seeking to eradicate, it is unlikely Cotchin will be suspended for his gut punch on St Kilda's Jack Lonie on Saturday night.
Since round nine, when CEO Gill McLachlan and football operations manager Simon Lethlean ordered a reset on intentional punches and harsher gradings, 13 players have been found guilty of intentional strikes to the body.
All have had the impact graded low, however, resulting in fines, and there is nothing in the Cotchin punch to suggest he made a greater impact than any of those.
Trent Cotchin has been reported for this incident. #AFLSaintsTigers pic.twitter.com/OVHaSvMpZY
— AFL (@AFL) July 8, 2017
He should receive a $1500 fine for his second low-level offence, but his next such charge will be a third strike, resulting in a one-match penalty.
Greenwood is not expected to be so fortunate. He made initial contact to Merrett's shoulder before his elbow slid high and made contact to the midfielder's chin.
Zach Merrett had to come off the ground following this incident involving Levi Greenwood. #AFLPiesDons pic.twitter.com/Ug7LXP1h07
— AFL (@AFL) July 8, 2017
Merrett left the ground briefly but was able to return and play out the match, making the likely grading careless conduct with medium impact to the head.
Greenwood, who has only been suspended for one match in his 116 games, could accept a one-week ban with an early guilty plea, sidelining him for next Saturday's clash against Gold Coast.
Membrey is facing the harshest suspension of the round so far after arriving late to a contest and planting his forearm into the face of Richmond defender Dylan Grimes on Saturday night.
Given the Saints forward was approaching a contest, his hit should be graded careless, but the high contact is indisputable after Grimes's cheek swelled immediately.
It is also open to the MRP to grade the strike as high impact after Grimes was forced out of the match in the second half.
Dylan Grimes took a few moments to get to his feet after this contest. #AFLSaintsTigers pic.twitter.com/NUSNNTubDC
— AFL (@AFL) July 8, 2017
That would result in a three-match suspension that can be reduced to two with an early guilty plea, sidelining Membrey for matches against Essendon and Sydney in the next fortnight.
Adelaide captain Taylor Walker could also be fined for misconduct after pushing Western Bulldogs defender Jason Johannisen into the padding of the goalpost during Friday night's clash at Adelaide Oval.
Jason Johannisen was left feeling sore after this incident with Taylor Walker. #AFLCrowsDogs pic.twitter.com/oH1QTlUcwc
— AFL (@AFL) July 7, 2017