The Brisbane Lions will be without key defenders Daniel Merrett and Justin Clarke when they face Carlton this Saturday night, after both accepted sanctions handed down by the AFL Match Review Panel on Monday.

Merrett will miss the next three matches after being suspended for a tackle on Essendon’s Michael Hurley, while Clarke accepted a one-week ban his late bump on Elliott Kavanagh.

Merrett was charged with a level three engaging in rough conduct offence (325 demerit points, three-match sanction) for engaging in rough conduct. In summary, due to his previous poor record, his three-match sanction must remain at three matches, even with an early plea.

Based on the video evidence available and a medical report from the Essendon Football Club, the incident was assessed as negligent conduct (one point), high impact (three points) and high contact (two points). This is a total of six activation points, resulting in a classification of a level three offence, drawing 325 demerit points and a three-match sanction. He has an existing bad record of 93.75 demerit points carried over from within the last 12 months, increasing the penalty to 418.75 points and a four-match sanction.

An early plea reduced the sanction by 25 per cent to 314.06 points and a three-match sanction.

The full-back will now miss the Lions' upcoming matches against Carlton (Round 9), Collingwood (Round 10) and Fremantle (Round 12).

Clark was charged with a level two charging offence (225 demerit points, two match sanction) for charging. In summary, he accepted a one-match sanction with an early plea.

Based on the video evidence available and a medical report from the Essendon Football Club, the incident was assessed as reckless conduct (two points), medium impact (two points) and body contact (one point). This is a total of five activation points, resulting in a classification of a level two offence, drawing 225 demerit points and a two-match sanction. He hs no existing good or bad record.

An early plea reduced the sanction by 25 per cent to 168.75 demerit points and a one-match sanction.

Simon Black has also accepted a charge for making negligent contact with an umpire ($1200 sanction). In summary, he accepted a $900 sanction with an early plea. A first offence for making negligent contact with an umpire is a $1200 sanction. An early plea reduced the sanction by 25 per cent to a $900 sanction.