Due to Ziebell’s previous record, the two-match sanction is increased to four-matches but an early plea reduces the sanction to three games.
The vice-captain will be available to make his return in Round 14.
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North Melbourne's horror run has continued, with midfielder Jack Ziebell facing a three-match suspension after being cited by the Match Review Panel for a high bump on Adelaide's Jarryd Lyons.
Ziebell collected Lyons during the second quarter of the Kangaroos' one-point loss to the Crows at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
PRESS PLAY above to watch the incident | YouTube
The MRP decided the bump was reckless and included contact to the head but was of low impact.
Ziebell's initial sanction was a two-game ban. However, his poor recent record has gone against him in a big way.
Because he has been suspended for seven matches within the past two years, Ziebell copped a 50 per cent loading.
When his 67.5 carryover points were also added, the tally of demerit points reached 405, meaning a four-match suspension.
If Ziebell lodges an early guilty plea, he can have the ban taken back to three games, meaning he would miss North Melbourne's upcoming clashes with St Kilda (Etihad Stadium), Gold Coast (Metricon Stadium) and Fremantle (Patersons Stadium).
It is the third time Ziebell has been suspended for a high bump.
PRESS PLAY above to watch the incident | YouTube
The Match Review Panel's findings were as follows:
Jack Ziebell, North Melbourne, has been charged with a Level Two engaging in rough conduct offence (225 demerit points, two-match sanction) for engaging in rough conduct against Jarryd Lyons, Adelaide Crows, during the second quarter of the Round Nine match between North Melbourne and the Adelaide Crows, played at Etihad Stadium on Sunday May 26, 2013.
In summary, due to his previous poor record, his two-match sanction is increased to a three-match penalty, even with an early plea.
Based on the video evidence available and a medical report from the Adelaide Crows Football Club, the incident was assessed as reckless conduct (two points), low impact (one point) and high contact (one point). This is a total of five activation points, resulting in a classification of a Level Two offence, drawing 225 demerit points and a two-match sanction. He has an existing bad record of seven matches suspended within the last two years, increasing the penalty by 50 per cent to 337.50 points and a three-match sanction. He also has 67.50 points carried over from within the last 12 months, increasing the penalty to 405 points and a four-match sanction. An early plea reduces the sanction by 25 per cent to 303.75 points and a three-match sanction.
