Essendon look almost certain to lose both Dustin Fletcher and Mark McVeigh for this weekend's clash with the Western Bulldogs after the AFL today released the Match Review Panel's assessment of two incidents from Friday night's blockbuster against Geelong.
 
The Bomber's are unlikely to contest Dustin Fletcher's striking charge (resulting in a one match suspension) but are reviewing the Mark McVeigh evidence and might challenge the assessment of ""high contact"" in his striking charge. 
 
A decision on whether to contest the McVeigh charge will be made tomorrow morning but, even if the high contact is downgraded, he will still incur a one match suspension and miss Saturday's game. 

Charges Laid:

Dustin Fletcher, Essendon

Charged with striking Kane Tenace, Geelong during the second quarter of the Round 14 match between Essendon and Geelong, played at Telstra Dome on Friday July 6, 2007.

In summary, he can accept a one-match sanction with an early plea.

The incident was assessed as reckless conduct (two points), medium impact (two points) and high contact (two points). This is a total of six activation points, resulting in a classification of a Level Three offence, drawing 225 demerit points and a two-match sanction. He has an existing poor record one of one match suspended within the last three years, increasing the penalty by 10 per cent to 247.50 points and a two-match sanction. An early plea reduces the penalty by 25 per cent to 185.63 points and a one-match sanction.

Mark McVeigh, Essendon

Charged with striking Gary Ablett, Geelong, during the third quarter of the Round 14 match between Essendon and Geelong, played at Telstra Dome on Friday July 6, 2007.

In summary, he can accept a one-match sanction with an early plea.

The incident was assessed as intentional conduct (three points), low impact (one point) and high contact (two points). This is a total of six activation points, resulting in a classification of a Level Two offence, drawing 225 demerit points and a two-match sanction. He has an existing poor record of one match suspended within the last three years, increasing the penalty by 10 per cent to 247.50 points and a two-match sanction. An early plea reduces the penalty by 25 per cent to 185.63 points and a one-match sanction.