In a two-hour hearing, the star Magpie was found guilty of striking Wodonga Raiders full-back Jordan Rouse during last weekend’s fiery clash at Norm Minns Oval.

He was booked by umpire Adam Larkins.

Richards, who pleaded not guilty to the charge, admitted remonstrating with the defender but denied striking him with a fist.

“I saw my little brother Joe drop so I instinctively ran over to remonstrate,” he said.

“I lost my temper but I shoved him and grabbed him and told him it was a weak act.

“I didn’t hit him to the cheek though.”

Rouse said he felt a blow to the cheek after a melee erupted during the second quarter but was unsure who had struck him.

“I got a smack to the cheek and at least two or three to the back of the head,” Rouse said.

“I couldn’t tell you who was throwing them or whether they were knees or elbows

“I was on the bottom of the pack with Michael Newton on top of me.”

Wangaratta advocate Felix Gamze called Newton as a witness while Magpie coach Dean Stone attended the hearing. 

Larkins said he had a clear view of the incident.

“After some pushing and shoving, I saw Nick lean down and throw the punch,” Larkins said.

“I had a clear view into the pack.

“It was between a seven to eight punch.”

Rouse told the tribunal he saw a doctor on Monday but had been cleared of serious injury and would play against Corowa-Rutherglen on Saturday.

It was the first time Richards has been suspended in 152 senior and junior matches.

The Williamstown Football Club provided a character reference.