The entire AFL world eagerly awaited the results of the AFL Match Review Officer's investigation into Isaac Heeney's strike on Jimmy Webster.
Heeney was the Brownlow Medal favourite before the incident and is now ineligible for the award after he was suspended by the AFL MRO.
With his initial suspension upheld once, the Swans elected to appeal for a second time, hoping to keep their star player on the field, but were unsuccessful.
The Sporting News explains how the process works.
When does the AFL Match Review Officer release its results?
After a game is played, the AFL Match Review Officer releases its findings on any incidents the following day.
In the case of Isaac Heeney's strike on Jimmy Webster, that occurred on a Sunday game between Sydney and St Kilda.
This means the results were communicated by the AFL on Monday, upholding the suspension.
The last two Monday MRP results have been released at approximately 5:00 pm AEST.
How does the AFL Match Review panel grade offences?
Incidents/offences are assessed under three different categories.
The conduct is determined by whether it is intentional or careless.
Impact is decided to be either severe, high, medium or low.
Contact is graded as either high/groin or body.
The below table indicates what sanction each grading results at.
| CONDUCT | IMPACT | CONTACT | SANCTION |
Intentional | Severe | High/Groin | 4+ Matches (Tribunal) |
| Body | 3+ Matches (Tribunal) | ||
High | High/Groin | 3 Matches | |
| Body | 2 Matches | ||
Medium | High/Groin | 2 Matches | |
| Body | 1 Match | ||
Low | High/Groin | 1 Match | |
| Body | Fine | ||
Careless | Severe | High/Groin | 3+ Matches (Tribunal) |
| Body | 2+ Matches (Tribunal) | ||
High | High/Groin | 2 Matches | |
| Body | 1 Match | ||
Medium | High/Groin | 1 Match | |
| Body | Fine | ||
Low | High/Groin | Fine | |
| Body | Fine |
