Jackson hit with three-game ban

(AAP) - Richmond midfielder Daniel Jackson will miss the AFL club's next three games after failing to beat a headbutting charge at the AFL Tribunal.

The 24-year-old, who was the Tigers' best player in Sunday's three-point loss to
Hawthorn, could have accepted a two-match ban had he pleaded guilty to headbutting
Hawk defender Campbell Brown.
Instead, he argued that the contact he made with Brown late in the match was too
light to constitute a headbutt, and also that he was not in a fit state of mind to
control his own actions after being heavily bumped by Brown moments earlier.
But the tribunal disagreed on both counts and also turned down a plea by the Tigers
to reduce the penalty on the basis of exceptional and compelling circumstances,
given Jackson was provoked by Brown and was being helped from the ground at the
time.
Jackson, a member of the club's leadership group, ruled out appealing, meaning he
will miss Saturday night's Dreamtime clash with Essendon at the MCG, as well as
games against Port Adelaide and St Kilda.