St Kilda’s Ben Long will miss Friday night’s semi-final against Richmond after failing to overturn his one-match suspension at the AFL Tribunal.
Long was charged with engaging in rough conduct on Western Bulldogs star Jack Macrae during the first quarter of Saturday’s elimination final.
The Saints defender was offered a one-match ban after Match Review Officer Michael Christian graded the bump as careless conduct, medium impact and high contact.
It’s another blow for Brett Ratten’s side with experienced pair Paddy Ryder and Jake Carlisle both unavailable to face the Tigers.
Ryder will miss the rest of the season with a hamstring tendon injury while Carlisle has left the club’s Queensland hub to attend the birth of his third child.
The Saints take on the reigning premiers at Metricon Stadium for a spot in the preliminary final.