Gary Moorcroft's finals' hopes were dealt a savage blow at the VFL tribunal tonight when he was suspended for two weeks after being found guilty of striking. The premiership player was reported during the Bombers hard-fought win over North Ballarat last Sunday. Moorcroft pleaded not guilty to the charge but the VFL tribunal described the act as ""stupid"" and suspended him for two matches. ""Obviously we are disappointed with the outcome,"" Essendon football manager Matthew Drain said. ""We will have another look at it tomorrow and weigh up whether or not to appeal the decision.""

Moorcroft has spent the past two weeks in the VFL side after being dropped from the seniors. But his form had been excellent and he was very close to a senior recall this weekend. He will now miss this weekend's match - either the senior game against Richmond or the reserves' elimination final against Carlton. If Essendon reserves lose in either of the next two weeks and the seniors win their first final, Moorcroft will be trying to force his way back into a senior side for a preliminary final after missing three weeks of football.

Tonight's decision has stung even more after the he got through training on Monday afternoon. Moorcroft suffered a minor hamstring strain against North Ballarat but he did some sprint drills on Monday afternoon and moved very well.