ESSENDON'S Nathan Lovett-Murray is facing a three-week suspension after the AFL’s match review panel charged the gifted defender with a level three rough conduct charge.

While Lovett-Murray has been hardest hit by the panel after it concluded its video assessment of weekend matches, the Bombers’ opponents this weekend – Geelong – could also be without one of its stars for what shapes as the match of the round.

Cat Mathew Stokes will have to fight a striking offence if he wants to take on a hard-running Essendon side at Docklands, while teammate Jimmy Bartel can escape with a reprimand after being cited for tripping.

The trio are the only players in line to front the AFL tribunal after the MRP inspected video footage from all round nine matches on Monday.

While Lovett-Murray’s potential time on the sidelines is a blow for coach Matthew Knights, there was some good news for those at Windy Hill.

A match-day report laid against defender Courtenay Dempsey for engaging in rough conduct was withdrawn.

Richmond also received a welcome boost, with hard-at-it midfielder Mark Coughlan also free to play this weekend after his report for making forceful front-on contact was thrown out.

Lovett-Murray’s previous poor record means he cannot reduce the three-match ban offered to him by the MRP with an early guilty plea.

The defender has been charged with engaging in rough conduct against Tiger Kayne Pettifer in the third quarter of the teams’ Dreamtime at the G clash on Saturday night.

In weighing up whether or not to challenge the charge at the AFL tribunal, the Bombers must consider the fact that Lovett-Murray will be risking a four-game suspension should he be found guilty.

Stokes was charged with a level two striking offence against young Bulldog Liam Picken in the final term of their clash on Friday night.

He cannot avoid a suspension with an early plea, nor will he risk a greater stint on the sidelines by fighting the charge at the Tribunal.

Teammate Bartel’s tripping charge against Shaun Higgins was classed as a level one offence.

The Brownlow Medallist of 2007 can accept a reprimand and 66 points towards his future record with an early guilty plea, and remains eligible for this year's Brownlow.