Young Richmond midfielder Tyler Sonsie is facing a lengthy suspension for a high strike on a North Melbourne opponent during the weekend's VFL clash at Punt Road.
The fourth-quarter incident saw Sonsie make an off-ball high strike on Kangaroo Tom Cappellari that has led the competition's Match Review Panel to come down hard on the Tiger, who has been referred directly to the Tribunal and faces a base sanction of five matches.
The MRP has graded Sonsie's actions as intentional conduct, high contact and severe impact, resulting in strict punishment.
A five-game suspension would likely see Sonsie miss the start of the 2023 season despite Richmond managing a finals placing in the VFL thanks to their win over North Melbourne.
The Tigers' reserves will play in a Wildcard Round encounter with Collingwood on Sunday in the hope of keeping their premiership pursuit alive, with a further four rounds to take place before the VFL season concludes.
Richmond's VFL side would be needing to make a miracle dash for the state league flag to see non of Sonsie's potential five-game suspension carry into 2024. An exit against the Magpies this weekend would leave Sonsie sideline for the opening month of next year if the base punishment stands.
The Tigers' senior side have missed the cut to play finals with one round remaining in the home and away season.
Sonsie, 20, hasn't featured at AFL level since Round 7 - his third appearance in the senior side for the year. The former Pick 28 selection played seven games last year in his first season with Richmond.
The win over North Melbourne in the VFL saw Steve Morris' Tigers rise into the top 10 and book their place in the first week of finals under a new post-season structure. A win against Collingwood would see Richmond face either Williamstown or Footscray in week two of finals depending on the corresponding Wildcard result.