Essendon defender to face AFL tribunal on bite charge

Essendon defender Conor McKenna faces a significant suspension if the AFL tribunal finds him guilty of biting.

McKenna was tackled to the ground by Western Bulldogs forward Tory Dickson in the second quarter on Sunday at Melbourne's Etihad Stadium and they had a brief scuffle.

It's alleged McKenna bit Dickson on the neck during the clash.

Dickson appeared to complain to Bulldogs staff when he ran to the bench immediately after the incident.

Match reviewer Michael Christian sent the case directly to a tribunal hearing, which will be held tonight.

The speculation is the Irish import will be suspended for three or four games if the hearing goes against him.

It's understood lawyer and former AFL operations manager Adrian Anderson will represent McKenna.

Last night, Fox Footy showed video in which Dickson appears to have a mark on his neck following the clash with McKenna.

Christian classified the incident as serious misconduct, a charge that's sent directly to the tribunal with no opportunity for an early plea.

Two angles of footage, a Bulldogs medical report and interviews by the league's investigations officer were taken into account.

The tribunal suspended West Coast player Chris Masten for two games in 2015 when he was found guilty of striking Fremantle's Nick Suban.

The Eagles unsuccessfully argued Masten had bitten Suban's involuntarily after being tackled.

Chris Lewis, another Eagle was suspended for three games in 1991 on a biting charge involving Melbourne's Todd Viney.

With AAP