DESPITE arguing a case on the basis of intention to strike, Justin Westhoff was unable to avoid a one-match ban for a three-quarter time incident involving Essendon's Cale Hooker.

He will miss this Saturday's match against Hawthorn after being found guilty of intentional striking.

Watch the incident

"I'm disappointed to miss this weekend's game," said Westhoff after the hearing.

"Hopefully it'll be a good game and they can get over the line and get a good win for the club."

The key forward was philosophical about the outcome and accepted the ruling of the tribunal with his trademark good nature.

"There's rules they (the tribunal) have to go by and we brought our case up, they obviously didn't agree with that," he said.

"We'll just take it (the result) for what it is and move forward."

Westhoff pleaded guilty for 'reckless' - as opposed to the original charge of 'intentional' - striking.

His counsel Mark Griffin QC challenge the intentional and high nature of the charge handed down by the AFL Match Review Panel on Monday, arguing Westhoff had not intended to make high and forceful contact with Hooker.

But Andrew Tinney SC for the AFL argued that Westhoff had intended to make contact with his opponent and that the force and nature of the action was sufficient to constitute a strike.

Westhoff fails in appeal

The tribunal jury was satisfied on the balance of probabilities that Westhoff intended to deliver a blow to the chin of Hooker with sufficient force to constitute a reportable offence.

He was issued with 168.75 demerit points, equal to a one-match ban.

"My intention was just to diffuse the situation and hit him (Hooker) across the chest but they didn't see it that way," Westhoff explained.

"Obviously they thought there was a little bit of intent."

Westhoff will be available for Port Adelaide's Round 17 match against St Kilda at Etihad Stadium on Saturday 20 July.