Essendon will contest a one-match penalty handed out to captain Matthew Lloyd in the wake of the Bombers’ narrow win over Melbourne last weekend. Lloyd was reported for charging Melbourne full back Nathan Carroll - it appeared innocuous but the umpire and match review panel thought differently.

The loss of Lloyd would be a bitter blow for the Bombers who take on ladder leaders Geelong at The Dome on Friday night. Reserved seating has already sold out for the match but some standing room tickets remain available.

Lloyd was reported for retaliating after Melbourne’s Nathan Carroll ran through him after a shot for goal missed on the three-quarter time siren. His bump on Carroll caused a brief melee prior to the team’s gathering for their three-quarter time address.

The AFL Match Review panel released the following statement:

“Matthew Lloyd, Essendon , has been charged with charging Nathan Carroll, Melbourne, at the three-quarter time siren of the Round 13 match between Essendon and Melbourne, played at Telstra Dome on Friday June 29, 2007.

In summary, he can accept a one-match sanction with an early plea, due to an existing five-year good record.

The incident was assessed as intentional conduct (three points), low impact (one point) and body 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 a five-year good record, which reduces the penalty by 25 per cent to 168.75 points and a one-match sanction. An early plea reduces the penalty by 25 per cent to 126.56 points and a one-match sanction.”

Andrew Welsh was also charged, with the match review panel statement below:

""Andrew Welsh, Essendon ,has been charged with bumping or making forceful contact from front-on against Brad Green, Melbourne, during the third quarter of the Round Thirteen match between Essendon and Melbourne, played at Telstra Dome on Friday June 29, 2007.

In summary, he can accept a reprimand and 70.31 points towards his future record with an early plea, due to an existing five-year good record.

The incident was assessed as negligent conduct (one point),  low  impact (o ne point) and high contact (two points). This is a total of  four  activation points, resulting in a classification of a Level  One  offence, drawing  125  demerit points and a  one -match sanction. He has  a five-year good record, which  reduces the penalty by 25 per cent to  93 .75  points and a  reprimand .  An early plea reduces the penalty by 25 per cent to 70.31 points and a reprimand.""