Western Bulldogs ruckman Lachlan Smith has been handed a two-match ban for striking Casey's Jesse Craven in the third quarter of their VFL encounter.
Smith's hit was graded intentional conduct, body contact and medium impact - a combination that delineates a two-week ban, that can be reduced to one-match with an early guilty plea.
It is a shame for Smith and the Dogs, after Smith was one of his side's few bright sparks in a 35-point loss at Casey Fields.
Smith posted 40 hitouts, eight clearances, 25 disposals and a goal in a performance that had his name back in selection discussions after receiving a taste of AFL action earlier this season.
The instability surrounding Tim English and his body has opened the door for the Dogs' depth talls to play a role this season, and performances like the one put forward by Smith on the weekend are proof the exposure is paying dividends.
The spiteful affair also yielded fines for Bulldog Daniel Orgill and Demons Thomas Matthews and Luis D'Angelo, who were each cited for wrestling in the second quarter of Casey's resounding win.
