One is one of the most decorated active players in the game. The other is an up and coming superstar with the potential to be the face of the game for the next decade.

Now, both will miss at least two weeks as they serve suspensions for acts that can be considered nothing short of stupid.

Jordan Lewis and Jesse Hogan will miss three and two weeks respectively after the pair were found guilty of striking Patrick Cripps and Sam Rowe in separate incidents in Melbourne's win over Carlton last weekend.

"Disappointing."
"Unforgivable."
"Irresponsible."
"Selfish."
"Weak."

Just some of the terms used by well-respected members of the media in relation to the incidents.

Lewis was brought to the club at the end of last season to provide experience and professionalism to a group crying out out for it and now finds himself watching from the stands in crucial matches against Geelong, Fremantle and Richmond, a stretch which the Demons could easily drop at least two of those games and find themselves in the middle of the road after two wins to start the season.

What made matters worse for both players is that both hits were off the ball.

Lewis stopped short of apologising for his actions while Hogan is yet to front the press and though an apology to the media and fans may not be necessary, their lack of presence on the field in the coming weeks could be more telling than any apology.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 02: Jesse Hogan of the Demons is tackled by Kade Simpson of the Blues during the round two AFL match between the Melbourne Demons and the Carlton Blues at Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 2, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Both were as influential as any player on the ground in Melbourne's second to fourth quarter blitz of St Kilda and it will be impossible for Simon Goodwin and his coaching staff to find anyone remotely close to like-for-like replacements for the pair.

Melbourne now have a cumulative six games missed due to suspension to three of their most important players with Bernie Vince due to return this weekend following a one-week ban for striking St Kilda's Nathan Wright in round one.

Whether any of the three deserved the length of any of their suspensions is up for debate but nevertheless, they received and accepted what they were given.

As has been displayed for decades, some footballers are a few screws loose up top but I'm sure this is not the case with the two in question here.

There is no doubting they will learn from their actions. They are a team on the rise looking to play September football for the first time in over a decade.

Jordan Lewis might take that for granted given his previous success but there is no doubting someone like Nathan Jones won't.

The on-field struggles of this club are now a thing of the past and they need their best players on the park to give long time suffering supporters what they crave so dearly.