Hawthorn's Sam Butler, as it stands, will miss Box Hill's VFL Grand Final against minor premiers Geelong this weekend, after the VFL Match Review Panel handed him a two-match ban for a high bump on Essendon's Harry Jones during Saturday's preliminary final.

Butler can reduce the ban to one match with an early plea, but would need the sanction turned over entirely to feature in Sunday's decider.

The bump was graded careless conduct, medium impact and high contact - a combination that delineates a two-match ban.

Prior to the preliminary final, Butler had been in exemplary form in the twos, averaging 25 disposals per game for David Mirra's side. He was also enjoying a rich vein of goal-kicking form, managing 15 goals in his previous seven matches.

Butler averaged 12 disposals in eight matches at AFL level this season, booting four goals.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 05: Sam Butler of the Hawks warms up ahead of the round 13 AFL match between Western Bulldogs and Hawthorn Hawks at Marvel Stadium, on June 05, 2025, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 05: Sam Butler of the Hawks warms up ahead of the round 13 AFL match between Western Bulldogs and Hawthorn Hawks at Marvel Stadium, on June 05, 2025, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)

Butler's Box Hill and Hawthorn teammate, the in-demand Calsher Dear was handed a $300 fine for misconduct, after a second-quarter incident involving Bomber Deacon Kalpakis.

The fine can be reduced to a reprimand with an early guilty plea.

Dear has found himself in the headlines in recent times, as meetings with rival clubs come to light while his side prepare for a preliminary final.

Melbourne, Geelong and Collingwood are in the running for the father-son's services, after he fell out of favour at the Hawks - a position only confirmed by Ben King's imminent arrival.

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