RUGGED Fremantle utility player Dean Solomon's 2008 campaign is almost certainly over after his brutal hit on Geelong's Cameron Ling was referred directly to the AFL Tribunal, but his long-term future at the club seems assured.

Out of contract at the end of the season, Solomon, 28, will learn his immediate fate this afternoon when the tribunal assesses his heavily scrutinised first-quarter incident from last Saturday's thrashing at the hands of Geelong.

The match review panel considered his bump as intentional (three points), severe impact (four points) and high contact (two points) — resulting in nine activation points — enough for the case to be sent straight to the tribunal with no offer of an early plea.

Solomon's bad record of three matches suspended in the past three years and 32.81 demerit points carried over from within the past 12 months also counted against him.

Fremantle's decision-makers were meeting with their lawyers last night to consider how best to handle Solomon's appearance for elbowing Geelong's Cameron Ling in the face at Skilled Stadium on Saturday.

Solomon broke Ling's cheekbone and the Cat had surgery on Sunday when a plate was inserted in his face.

Solomon won't travel to Melbourne, opting to remain in Perth and cop his punishment via a video link-up.

Solomon's manager Michael Quinlan and Fremantle have been involved in contract discussions for some time and a new deal, believed to be for two years, is likely to be announced soon. Negotiations on a new deal aren't expected to be affected by today's tribunal decision.

Geelong, which had Cameron Mooney, Jimmy Bartel and David Wojcinski reviewed for incidents during Saturday's game, escaped without any charges. But Geelong's Brownlow Medal favourite Gary Ablett is unlikely to play in Saturday's top-of-the-ladder clash against the Bulldogs after rolling his ankle against the Dockers.

Docker Ryan Crowley is set to miss one game after being cited for striking Ablett during the first quarter.

Sydney's Amon Buchanan is facing four weeks on the sidelines after being cited for high contact on Hawthorn vice-captain Luke Hodge in Sunday's match at the MCG. The incident was deemed reckless, with high impact and high contact.

Buchanan's bad record meant that his initial penalty was increased by 10% and could not be reduced.

West Coast midfielder Daniel Kerr could miss three games for striking Richmond's Matthew White in the Eagles' 77-point capitulation at Subiaco on Sunday.

Kerr hit White from behind with a roundhouse swing as he ran in to contest a mark. The hit was initially judged as worthy of a two-match ban, but was increased to four because of his bad record, with the possibility of three matches with an early plea.

Former West Coast firebrand Karl Langdon yesterday called on the Eagles to add a tribunal clause to Kerr's contract after his fourth suspension in the past 21 games.

North's Daniel Pratt is set to miss two games for gouging the face of Port Adelaide's Brett Ebert. Pratt's initial penalty cannot be reduced by an early plea because of his bad record.

Melbourne's Colin Sylvia can accept a reprimand with an early plea for striking the Bulldogs' Dale Morris.