Carlton's bid to have Will Hayward's one-match striking ban downgraded to a fine has failed, with the suspension being upheld during a two-and-a-half hour long Tribunal meeting.
Hayward was charged with striking by the Match Review Officer, with the incident occurring in the third quarter of Friday's game against North Melbourne.
The MRO graded the incident as intentional, medium impact to the body, resulting in a one-game suspension.
Hayward pleaded not guilty to the charge.
While giving evidence, Hayward said he couldn't see that Wardlaw had disposed of the ball when he made contact with his arm. Hayward said he had intended to disrupt the kick by causing an imbalance on Wardlaw by pressuring him.
The AFL's legal council said there was no legitimate football purpose in Hayward's action when he made contact with Wardlaw and that Hayward's closed fist indicated a deliberate and intentional strike.
Hayward and his legal council Chris Townshend argued that he closes his fists when he tackles as a safety measure for himself and to help lock in the tackle.
The AFL updated its ruling on acts such as these for the 2026 season. The law reads "Intentional Strikes to a victim player's body or head will usually be classified as Medium Impact at a minimum (resulting in at least a one-match sanction), rather than the previous grading as Low Impact."
Townshend said that the adjustment to the law was made to get rid of cheap shots behind the play, rather than the Hayward-Wardlaw incident which was part of a football action. The AFL argued that the guidelines would have specified off-the-ball incidents if it only meant that action in the update to its law.
Townshend said the outcome was a strike, but the intention was not for it to be a strike and that the strike should not be described as anything other than low impact.
Tribunal chair Jeff Gleeson said the only act of his swinging fist was to strike, that it was intentional and that it was medium impact.
The 27-year-old will miss the opening match of Gather Round against Adelaide on Thursday night.
Hayward has struggled at Carlton since making the move from Sydney during the 2025 trade period. He has averaged 12 disposals per game and has kicked 2.3 from his four outings.
