TIGER HOULI GUILTY OF STRIKING, COPS TWO-MATCH BAN

RICHMOND defender Bachar Houli has been handed a two-match suspension by the AFL tribunal for intentionally striking Carlton’s Jed Lamb.

Houli was referred directly to the tribunal for his hit on Lamb at the MCG on Sunday after the match review panel assessed the off-the-ball incident as intentional conduct with high impact to the head.

The defender pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of careless conduct with high impact to the head, but the jury took five minutes to find him guilty of the more severe charge.

AFL legal counsel Andrew Woods submitted a four-game ban was the appropriate sanction, while Sam Tovey, representing the club and Houli, asked for a two-game ban.

Despite their finding of intentional conduct, the jury — made up of David Neitz, Hamish McIntosh and Wayne Henwood — settled on two games, citing Houli’s exemplary character and record for the relatively light sanction.

The 29-year-old has played 162 games over 11 seasons, and eight years as a junior, without being suspended. His only disciplinary blemish was a fine for wrestling Greater Western Sydney’s Rhys Palmer in 2014.

Houli slowly shook is head as the initial finding of intentional conduct was announced and left the tribunal hearing without speaking to the media.

During the 90-minute hearing, Houli, a devout Muslim, gave evidence he had never — and would never — intentionally strike another person as he was a peaceful, religious man.

He said he sought out Carlton leaders Marc Murphy and Bryce Gibbs as his teammates celebrated the 26-point win and also asked Blues’ assistant coach Tim Clarke to pass on Lamb’s mobile number so he could apologise.

Richmond’s legal counsel submitted four character references, including a transcript of Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s glowing remarks about Houli at a function on Monday.