RICHMOND backman Bachar Houli has been banned for two games after the Tribunal found him guilty of intentionally striking Carlton's Jed Lamb.

He will miss games against Port Adelaide and St Kilda. 

In the incident in question, Houli swung his left arm and struck Lamb, who was left unconscious and didn't return to the game.

The Match Review Panel also graded the incident high impact and high contact and referred the case directly to the Tribunal.

The Tiger, represented by Sam and Michael Tovey, argued the contact was careless conduct, rather than intentional as was found by the MRP.

He also submitted character references from Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Gold Logie-winning TV presenter and academic Waleed Aly.

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

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 AFL 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 his head as the initial finding of intentional conduct was announced and left the Tribunal hearing at AFL headquarters without speaking to waiting media.

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

Houli also said that 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 Turnbull's glowing remarks about Houli at a function on Monday.

Channel Ten host and Monash University academic Aly, former Tigers assistant coach Mark Williams and AFL diversity manager Ali Fahour also gave written references.

Lamb was not called to give evidence but reporting umpire Matt Stevic was.

Stevic, who was 35m away, assessed the incident as careless conduct and said he saw no reason to change that classification after seeing vision of the clash.

The jury deliberated for five minutes before finding Houli intentionally struck Lamb and another five minutes before settling on his penalty.

Port Adelaide hosts Richmond on Saturday 1 July at 7.10pm ACST

More on portadelaidefc.com.au...