GEELONG'S top-four chances have taken another hit, with key forward Tom Hawkins suspended for two matches and midfielder Mitch Duncan hit with a one-game penalty ahead of Saturday's blockbuster against Richmond.

Meanwhile, Collingwood ruckman Brodie Grundy (two matches), Greater Western Sydney big man Shane Mumford (one match) and Essendon midfielder Zach Merrett (one match) have all been banned in a dramatic round of MRP findings. 

If Merrett accepts his one-match ban for striking Carlton defender Lachie Plowman in the stomach the prolific midfielder will be ineligible for this year's Brownlow Medal. 

Don joins Danger on Brownlow sidelines

Hawkins was charged for striking Sydney defender Dane Rampe in Friday night's clash at Simonds Stadium, with the hit graded intentional conduct with low impact to the head.

The powerful forward would normally have been able to accept a one-match ban with an early guilty plea, but his bad record meant an extra week was added to the penalty.

Hawkins has been suspended for identical incidents twice in the past two seasons, most recently in round 11 when he struck Adelaide midfielder Matt Crouch.

His suspension is a significant blow to a Geelong team that will be missing injured captain Joel Selwood, who is racing the clock to be fit for finals after undergoing ankle surgery on Monday.

Duncan was also charged by the MRP for striking Tom Papley, with the hit graded intentional conduct with medium impact to the body, drawing a one-match ban. 

Geelong has until 11am Tuesday to notify the AFL if it intends to challenge either verdict at the Tribunal.

The fourth-placed Cats play Richmond, Collingwood and Greater Western Sydney in their final three matches of the home and away season.

Grundy's dangerous tackle was assessed as careless conduct with high impact to the head, costing him two matches on the sidelines.

Described by coach Nathan Buckley as a "perfect tackle", it left North Melbourne forward Ben Brown in hospital overnight and the MRP was quick to categorise it as an illegal action on Monday.  

His two-match penalty is double that served by Geelong superstar Patrick Dangerfield for a similar incident in round 19 because the impact was graded high as compared to medium.

Essendon could seek to challenge the Merrett verdict, with his strike on Plowman graded intentional conduct with medium impact to the body.

The star midfielder, who has averaged 30.7 possessions a game this season, would risk a two-match ban if he failed, with clashes against Adelaide and Gold Coast looming for the Bombers.

Mumford's high bump on Melbourne ruckman Max Gawn was graded careless conduct with medium impact to the head, resulting in a one-match ban with an early guilty plea.

It is the GWS ruckman's first suspension since 2011 when he was charged with rough contact on Carlton's David Ellard.

North Melbourne midfielder Ben Cunnington was cleared of any wrongdoing in a collision with Collingwood defender Tyson Goldsack.

The Panel said Cunnington ran towards the contest "on his line to the ball" and his action was not a bumping action.

Melbourne's Jake Melksham was also cleared after making high contact to GWS midfielder Jacob Hopper because the force used was insufficient for a charge.

Essendon star Joe Daniher was fined $1500 for a second offence for striking Carlton's Blaine Boekhorst, with the incident graded careless conduct with low impact to the head.

Adelaide forward Josh Jenkins and Port Adelaide tall Jackson Trengove were each fined for wrestling each other, with Jenkins offered $1000 for a first offence and Trengove hit with $2500 for his third offence.

A match-day report for tripping laid against St Kilda midfielder Luke Dunstan was thrown out because there was insufficient force to constitute a charge.

Meanwhile, St Kilda forward Ben Long has been offered a one-match suspension by the VFL Tribunal for rough conduct against Casey player Mitchell Gent, with the incident assessed as careless conduct with low impact and high contact. Long's bad record meant he could not accept a reprimand for the incident.