Zach Merrett will miss this year's Anzac Day clash after having his one-match suspension upheld at the tribunal.
Essendon and Merrett had challenged the decision of a suspension for his dangerous tackle on Melbourne's Tom Sparrow during the Bombers' Round 5 win.
The tribunal deliberated for over 30 minutes, but ultimately stayed with Match Review Officer Michael Christian's grading of the incident.
The tackle was originally graded as careless conduct, high contact and medium impact.
In giving evidence, Merrett said he was thrown off balance by a sidestep from Sparrow, but denied he ever put the Melbourne midfielder in a dangerous position.
Yet the AFL argued the tackle had a significant potential to cause injury.
Watch the incident below
Zach Merrett has been offered a one-match suspension for this tackle on Tom Sparrow. pic.twitter.com/jhrDk4JElY
— AFL (@AFL) April 16, 2023
Merrett would have led Essendon out for Anzac Day next week for the first time in his career, having received the captaincy at the start of the 2023 season.
Anthony Caminiti and Taylor Adams will have their suspensions heard by the tribunal later on Tuesday night.