Richard Douglas will miss the next two games after pleading guilty to rough conduct at the AFL Tribunal on Tuesday night.

Douglas was charged for a strong hip and shoulder on Greater Western Sydney co-captain Callan Ward during the second quarter of Adelaide’s 65-point win at Adelaide Oval on Sunday. Ward was left concussed by the clash and took no further part in the game.

The AFL Tribunal assessed the incident as being reckless, high contact and high impact resulting in a grade four rough conduct charge, which carries 425 points. Douglas, who had never previously been reported, received a reduction for his good record and also his guilty plea, which reduced the total to 250 points and a two-match ban.

Douglas' player advocate Iain Findlay argued the contact was not head-high and should be graded as negligent, not reckless.

The 27-year-old told the Tribunal the bump was necessary to protect the ball carrier and that shepherding was not an option as he believed his arms could have easily been brushed aside by Ward.

"I can categorically tell you I did not hit him in the head," Douglas said.

"I believe it was shoulder-on-shoulder.

"After the game I went over to Callan and asked him if he was feeling OK and he said he felt fine."

Legal counsel Jeff Gleeson SC presented a medical report from the Giants as evidence, which stated Ward was still receiving on-going treatment for concussion which could potentially see him miss Saturday's clash against Gold Coast.

Emergency field umpire Curtis DeBoy also gave evidence via video link and said he believed there was a clash of heads.

He stated he left the bench, 30m away from the incident, intending to report Douglas immediately but became preoccupied when a fight broke out amongst other players.

Douglas said he was not surprised that the incident was sent directly to the Tribunal, rather than being graded by the Match Review Panel.

“I’m obviously disappointed to miss the next two games but that’s footy and I’m looking forward to getting back to play the Pies," he said.

“I'm not surprised at anything. I think I just have to cop what happens. I'm disappointed how it worked out but that’s the way it goes."

Douglas will miss Adelaide’s games against the Western Bulldogs and Melbourne.