Hawthorn forward hit with lengthy AFL suspension

Due to the AFL's 12-day concussion protocols, Stewart was immediately ruled out of next Saturday's grand final, denying him a chance to add to the premiership he won in 2022.

If Hawthorn had beaten the Cats, Chol would have been the hardluck story of grand final week.

The 28-year-old would have become the first player since West Coast's Andrew Gaff in 2018 to have missed a grand final through suspension.

Chol's teammate Jack Ginnivan escaped a ban, but was slapped with a potential $10,000 fine for tripping Geelong's Jack Bowes.

It was Ginnivan's third tripping offence, but his fine can be downgraded to $6250 if he accepts an early guilty plea.