NORTH Melbourne forward Paul Curtis has failed to overturn a three-match suspension for rough conduct at the AFL Tribunal.

Curtis was offered the ban after his tackle last Saturday left West Coast's Hamish Davis with concussion.

The action was deemed careless conduct, severe impact and high contact.

Curtis, who did not give evidence at Tuesday's Tribunal hearing, argued through his counsel Justin Graham KC against both the "rough conduct" charge and "severe impact" grading.

Graham said a "low impact" grading was more appropriate, while claiming ball carrier Davis' momentum was a significant factor in the incident.

He added there was no double action in the tackle and that the force went first through Davis' knees and hands before he hit his head.

Graham argued Davis' arms were held at the biceps but not pinned, giving him "free movement" in the forearms, and that Curtis landed to the side rather than in his opponent's back.

It was also noted West Coast players did not remonstrate with Curtis as play carried on.

"There's no free kick and even the players behind the ball are not interested, it seems, in what occurred, so they haven't noticed anything remarkable about the incident," Graham told the Tribunal.

While North Melbourne argued Davis was able to put out both hands, AFL lawyer Sam Bird said the Eagles player could not meaningfully use them to reduce the impact.

Bird said Curtis turned his body and dropped Davis rather than holding him up or releasing an arm, and argued the minimum three-match penalty for a charge of this nature was appropriate.

After hearing around 50 minutes of evidence, a Tribunal chaired by Jeff Gleeson KC deliberated for another 50 minutes before returning their verdict.

The panel was comfortably satisfied Curtis' tackle was a dangerous one.

"Curtis came in from the side, wrapped his arms around Davis' arms and dropped and rotated Davis into the ground," Gleeson said.

"Curtis made no apparent attempt to keep his feet, to release either of Davis' arms or to rotate Davis onto himself.

"It was submitted on behalf of Curtis that it was the momentum of the tackle that caused the players to go to ground. We disagree.

"The vision shows that Davis had both feet on the ground when he handballed, and it was the technique of Curtis that result in him being brought to ground."

Gleeson added: "A reasonable player in the circumstances would've kept their feet in the tackle or at least attempted to do so."

Curtis will miss North's games against Richmond, Essendon and Port Adelaide.

The 23-year-old also unsuccessfully went to the Tribunal last year to contest a three-match suspension for a tackle on Port Adelaide's Josh Sinn.

Meanwhile, Gold Coast will learn on Wednesday whether it has avoided a hefty fine after contesting Daniel Rioli's umpire contact charge.

Rioli challenged the charge via written submission to the Tribunal.

If the Rioli fine is upheld, the Suns are at risk of an AFL sanction of up to $50,000, as it would be their fifth umpire contact penalty this season.

Worried by a spike in umpire contact incidents, the AFL wrote to clubs last month to remind them of the consequences for reaching the five-offence threshold.