Fremantle superstar Nat Fyfe is in danger of joining unwanted company after the AFL tribunal upheld his one-game striking ban.
North Melbourne's Corey McKernan and Western Bulldogs' star Chris Grant could have won Brownlow Medals in 1996 and 1997 respectively but were ineligible.
Both received bans during their stellar seasons, and that fate could yet befall Fyfe.
The 26-year-old had been one of the main Brownlow fancies having averaged just more than 30 possessions across 11 games and booted eight goals.
But Fyfe's hopes of winning a second Brownlow Medal this season were dashed when the Dockers failed to convince the tribunal he didn't intentionally strike Collingwood's Levi Greenwood.
"Unfortunately, the tribunal decision was that the week stands," Fyfe told reporters in Perth.
"I'm disappointed by the result but I'm grateful for a fair hearing. Thank you to my counsel, Mr Nick Tweedie (QC), over in Melbourne.
"I'm disappointed I can't be helping my team this weekend against Adelaide but will be doing everything I can in my power to get ready to go against Carlton next week."
The 2015 Brownlow Medal winner will miss Sunday's clash with the Crows at Optus Stadium.
He now faces a similar scenario to Geelong's 2016 winner Patrick Dangerfield, who was a hot Brownlow favourite last year.
But the former Crow copped a one-game ban for a dangerous tackle on Carlton's Matthew Kreuzer in round 19.
He went on to fall just three votes short of eventual winner, Richmond's Dustin Martin.
Essendon champion Jobe Watson won the 2012 Brownlow Medal, but was stripped of the award in the aftermath of the club's supplements scandal.
AFL match review officer Michael Christian assessed Fyfe's crude forearm to the head of Greenwood as intentional conduct with low impact to the head.
Tweedie entered a guilty plea to careless conduct on Fyfe's behalf, who appeared via video link.
Fyfe told the tribunal that his action was an instinctive response to protect himself when he saw Greenwood's fist coming toward his face at the last second.
But the jury of Wayne Henwood, Jason Johnson and David Neitz upheld his one-match ban after a lengthy 23 minutes of deliberation.
Fremantle have the option to appeal the verdict but that is considered unlikely.
He didn't risk a longer ban if he was unsuccessful, but Fremantle will also be required to pay a fee of $10,000.
Fyfe was ineligible for the 2014 Brownlow because of suspension.
North Melbourne youngster Jy Simpkin fared better, the Roos convincing the tribunal to throw out his two-match ban for a collision that left Brisbane's Allen Christensen concussed.
Share
