Returning GWS ruckman Shane Mumford has been offered a one-week suspension over an unofficial practice match incident.
Mumford could have accepted the ban with an early guilty plea, as it was assessed by Match Review Officer Michael Christian as intentional with low impact to the head.
However, the Giants announced on Tuesday that they would go to the tribunal and challenge the suspension on Wednesday, risking a $10,000 fine.
Among a host of new rule changes and interpretations, the league last year confirmed there will be crackdown on off-the-ball hits.
The 32-year-old lashed out at Sydney's George Hewett late in the Giants' 24-point loss in Blacktown last Friday. However, Hewett got to his feet immediately.
Check out the incident below.
Will Mumford get off?
— AFL.com.au (@AFLcomau) February 26, 2019
The @GWSGIANTS will challenge Shane Mumford's one-match striking ban at the AFL Tribunal: https://t.co/4EluMYd5mJ pic.twitter.com/xu0gopx9gX
THE INCIDENT: Shane Mumford in hot water for practice match hit on George Hewett
Mumford was already missing for the Essendon (R1) and West Coast (R2) games due to a club-imposed suspension after an old video of him snorting a white powder was circulated on social media.
However, he will now at least miss the third round clash with Richmond at the MCG.
Regardless of ban length, Mumford cannot serve it concurrently with the existing club-imposed suspension.
His first game back for GWS is now set to be an away fixture to Geelong on April 13.
Mumford retired at the end of 2017 due to ongoing ankle injuries. However, with Rory Lobb leaving for Fremantle, GWS confirmed last year that Mumford will return for the 2019 season.
