Farmer to contest eye-gouging charge

Fremantle goalsneak Jeff Farmer will fly to Melbourne on Tuesday to contest an eye-gouging charge.

The Dockers are facing the start of the home-and-away season without the services of two key players after charges were handed out to Farmer and defender Michael Johnson by Monday's match review panel.

Farmer was charged with misconduct for his eye-gouge on Kangaroo Daniel Pratt and faces a six-match suspension while Johnson faces four weeks on the sidelines for bumping.

The former Demon has been charged with a level four offence, with his existing poor record and 95.86 residual points from within the last 12 months leaving the total of his demerit points at 605.86 points and a six-match sanction.

Johnson will also contest his bumping/forceful contact charge against Lachlan Hansen.

The backman has drawn a level three offence, equating to 400 points and a four-match ban.

There's better news for new Docker Dean Solomon, who accepted a reprimand for his strike on Brent Harvey. The former Bomber was reported on the day for his hit on the Kangaroos' midfielder and was offered 70.31 points for his actions due to his five-year good behaviour record.

His good record reduced his original sentence from 125 demerit points to 93.75, which means he did not face suspension.

In other incidents, Port Adelaide's Nathan Lonie has been handed a reprimand for his strike on Cat Andrew Mackie, while Bulldog Daniel Cross has been charged with a first offence for making contact with an umpire and handed a fine of $2400 with an early plea.

The match-day report laid against the Brisbane Lions' Jamie Charman was assessed but no charge was laid. The panel deciding contact against Bulldog Ryan Hargrave was made with an open hand and therefore not a reportable offence.