CHRISTIAN Salem's path back into Melbourne's team has hit an obstacle after the silky defender was offered a one-match ban by the VFL's Match Review Panel for striking Carlton-listed forward Liam Sumner in Saturday's clash at Casey Fields.

Dropped from the senior team along with Jack Watts and Sam Frost, the second quarter incident that saw Sumner leave the ground with concussion was assessed as careless conduct with medium impact and high contact.

Salem was reported by the officiating umpire on the day for rough conduct, but the charge was later amended to striking with the Melbourne defender attempting to jolt the ball free as Sumner received the footy from a teammate.

In the process, Salem's swinging arm connected with Sumner's jaw with the Carlton forward not returning to the field of play after being assessed for concussion.

The hit was classified as a two-match base sanction, but with no applicable record an early guilty plea would see Salem accept the charge and be unavailable for selection for Sunday's game against the Brisbane Lions at the MCG.

Salem was suspended for one week at AFL level earlier in the season for elbowing Roo Shaun Higgins in the face in round nine, but that was not applicable in assessing the Sumner incident.

The 22-year-old collected 28 disposals, laid nine tackles and finished the match with a goal to be one of Casey's best players in its 37-point win.

Based on his performance at the weekend, the defender would have been in contention to make an immediate return to the team for the clash against the Lions.

Salem will next be available for selection for the club's final home and away season game against Collingwood in round 23.

Meanwhile, North Melbourne-listed defender Lachlan Hansen will front the VFL tribunal on Tuesday night after being reported for rough conduct and striking in separate incidents involving former teammate Joel Tippett in Sunday's Williamstown-Werribee contest.

There was no vision available of either incident, hence Hansen will front the Tribunal at Ikon Park on Tuesday night.

Richmond's Jayden Short can accept a $500 fine for a rough conduct charge in Saturday's match against Geelong's VFL side at Simonds Stadium.