Hawthorn star Rioli banned for two games

Hawthorn star Cyril Rioli's AAMI Stadium brain snap is set to cost him only two
matches, after the AFL match review panel ruled just one of a wild series of blows
connected.
The Hawk speedster was cited for one charge of striking Port's Nick Salter and
another of attempting to strike the same player.
The normally composed youngster is understood to have been provoked into his
uncharacteristic behaviour after believing he copped a blow to the chin himself.
But he can be thankful his normally superb on-field timing was slightly off-kilter
on Saturday, with the panel ignoring several more punches which missed their mark as
a third-quarter scuffle erupted.
The striking charge was itself worth a one-match ban, while attempting to strike
attracted only a reprimand.
But the combined points total for the two charges equates to a two-game sanction, or
could stretch to three if he challenges both charges at the tribunal and fails.
However, the Hawks could challenge either one of the charges unsuccessfully and
still lose Rioli for only two games, which might make a tribunal bid worth the
gamble.
Rioli's penalty is light compared to that for St Kilda hard man Steven Baker, who
copped a nine-week ban earlier this year after being booked for multiple offences
against Geelong's Steve Johnson in round 13.
Baker was hit with three striking charges, as well as one for misconduct, and was
also hurt by a 50 per cent loading for a poor prior record, while Rioli had no
applicable record.
The Hawks midfielder-forward was also one of nine players - five from Hawthorn and
four from the Power - fined for engaging in a melee, with Salter also among them.
No other suspensions were handed out from a weekend in which charges were laid
against 16 players.
Injured Brisbane spearhead Brendan Fevola was hit with the biggest financial
penalty, fined $3,000 for putting Melbourne defender Colin Garland in a headlock at
the Gabba on Saturday night.
West Coast's Eric Mackenzie can accept a reprimand for striking Fremantle's Michael
Johnson in Sunday's derby at Subiaco.
Four other players from that match were fined for wrestling - Fremantle's Adam
McPhee grappling with Eagle Patrick McGinnity and West Coast's Scott Selwood
tangling with Docker Stephen Hill.
The other player charged from round 18 was St Kilda's Sean Dempster, fined for
making negligent contact with an umpire.