Fremantle defender Alex Silvagni has been handed a four-match ban at the AFL Tribunal on Tuesday night for intentionally striking West Coast forward Jamie Cripps. He will miss Sunday's match against North Melbourne.

Silvagni - whose case was referred directly to the Tribunal by the Match Review Panel on Monday - pleaded guilty as charged, with his strike graded as high impact and high contact.

The penalty, which was one week less than the AFL legal counsel recommended, means he would be available for Fremantle after the first week of finals.

It is likely Silvagni received a one-match discount for his guilty plea. His legal counsel, Nick Tweedie SC, also used a character reference from Fremantle CEO Steve Rosich.

Tweedie asked the jury of Shane Wakelin, Wayne Henwood and Wayne Schimmelbusch to consider Silvagni was not a player who would walk straight back into the Dockers' team if handed a lengthy ban.

In his evidence, Silvagni said Cripps had moved into his path to stop him pursuing his opponent, and he had responded by attempting to "move him out of the way" with a "strong, forceful" bump.

"I didn't mean to strike him in the head," a contrite Silvagni said.

"It didn't sit with me well at the time, during the game or still now. As a footballer I don't like seeing it and I didn't mean to do it."

Silvagni said he tried to explain his actions to West Coast forward Josh Kennedy on the ground and followed up post-match to check on Cripps's condition.

AFL counsel Jeff Gleeson recommended a penalty of six matches, reduced by one match because of Silvagni's guilty plea.