Fremantle skipper Nat Fyfe's hopes of winning a second Brownlow Medal this season have been dashed, with the AFL tribunal upholding his one-game ban for striking.
The Dockers superstar was one of the favourites to win the game's highest individual honour at the halfway point of the season.
But he is now ineligible after he failed to have a striking charge for his hit on Collingwood's Levi Greenwood downgraded at Tuesday night's tribunal hearing at Etihad Stadium.
"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."
Fyfe will miss Sunday's clash against the Crows at Optus Stadium.
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.
The Dockers showed four video examples of careless conduct during the hour-long hearing.
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.
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 this season.
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.
"It's a massive relief, I'm happy to be playing this week obviously, and we can put this behind us now," Simpkin said.
"I spoke to Allen Christensen after the game and he was in good spirits, so I'm happy for him and hopefully he's out there (playing) this week and everyone can move on."
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