Can't view the video? Watch on YouTube

North Melbourne's Lindsay Thomas has accepted a two-match sanction for rough conduct.

The forward collided with Melbourne's Daniel Nicholson during the third quarter of Saturday's game, and risked a three-week ban if he challenged.

On Monday, Match Review Panel Chairman Mark Fraser said Thomas could have avoided contact with his opponent.

“Thomas elects to bump Nicholson and when he does that there’s a strict liability rule.

“If you bump somebody high, unless there’s circumstances outside of your control or unless there’s no realistic alternative way to contest the football then you’re in trouble.”

With 30 goals for the season, Thomas' absence against the Bulldogs and Bombers in the next fortnight will be a big loss.

PRESS PLAY above to watch the incident | YouTube

The Match Review Panel's findings were as follows:
Lindsay Thomas, North Melbourne, has been charged with a Level Three engaging in rough conduct offence against Daniel Nicholson, Melbourne, during the third quarter of the Round 18 match between North Melbourne and Melbourne, played at Etihad Stadium on Saturday July 28, 2012.

In summary, due to an existing poor record, he can accept a two-match sanction with an early plea.

Based on the video evidence available and a medical report from the Melbourne Football Club, the incident was assessed as negligent conduct (one point), high impact (three points) and high contact (two points). This is a total of six activation points, resulting in a classification of a Level Three offence, drawing 325 demerit points and a three-match sanction. He has an existing bad record of 60 demerit points carried over from within the last 12 months, increasing the penalty to 385 points and a three-match sanction. An early plea reduces the penalty by 25 per cent to 288.75 points and a two-match sanction.