Fletcher equalled Madden’s record of 378 matches against West Coast on Sunday and will now have to wait until the Bombers last match of the home and away season to break the record and play game number 379.
The 38-year-old accepted a two match sanction with an early guilty plea from the match review panel for a level three offence of engaging in rough conduct against Jamie Cripps during the last quarter of Sunday’s loss.
Based on video evidence and medical reports the incident was assessed as reckless conduct (two points), medium impact (two points) and high contact (two points) totalling 325 points and a three-match sanction.
An early plea reduces the sanction by 25 per cent to 243.75 points and a two-match sanction.
Big man Patrick Ryder will also miss Saturday afternoon’s match against North Melbourne after he accepted a one-match ban with an early guilty plea.
Ryder was charged with a level one offence for rough conduct resulting in 125 points and a one-match sanction.
With carry over points and an existing bad record Ryder could not have his penalty reduced below one ban.
