Retiring Western Bulldogs veteran Taylor Duryea has been handed a long suspension by the VFL's Match Review Panel amid a finals campaign with Footscray.
A rough conduct incident on Frankston's Bailey Laurie from the opening term of the weekend's VFL qualifying final has seen Duryea offered a base sanction of four matches.
That penalty can be reduced to three games with an early plea, which would still see the former Hawk's hopes of a VFL premiership dashed.
The incident in question has been graded as intentional conduct, high impact and high contact, resulting in a heavy penalty.
Duryea could choose to challenge the ban in the hope of having his suspension cleared or reduced, potentially making him available again this year.
A failed tribunal challenge would result in a four-game ban for Duryea, who announced his retirement from the AFL in the past month after 219 games across stints with the Dogs and Hawks.
Footscray claimed an 80-point win over the Dolphins to progress to a preliminary final, and will await the winner of this Saturday's matchup between Box Hill and Brisbane.
Frankston, who will face Casey in the semi-final, will likely be without George Grey after he was handed a suspension of five or more matches for a rough conduct offence on Anthony Scott from the same game.
AFL-listed Box Hill talent Seamus Mitchell has been handed a one-game ban for forceful front-on contact on Southport's Brock Aston; however, he can reduce that penalty to a $500 fine and a reprimand with an early plea.
