Magpies deal with Maynard AFL ban call

Brayden Maynard's two-match AFL ban for striking won't change the way Collingwood coach Craig McRae instructs his players to spoil opponents' marking attempts.

The tribunal on Tuesday night upheld Maynard's suspension, rejecting the Magpies' challenge to the careless grading of the incident that concussed GWS forward Daniel Lloyd.

The decision came amid an AFL crackdown on head contact and an increased focus on the potential of players' actions to cause injury.

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"The game itself is so 360 degree (and) it's really difficult to say, 'Don't go at the football hard'," McRae said on Wednesday.

"There's always going to be some form of contact in our game.

"I think the players do evolve though and there are interpretation changes within the game that we've seen over the years, (such as) with the contact below the knees, and players do adapt very quickly.

"We'll have to adjust."

AFL football operations bosses Andrew Dillon and Brad Scott detailed how the league would approach such incidents in 2022 when they met with clubs over summer.

"This was probably the first case this year to set the new agenda, if you like," McRae said, adding he is supportive of the league prioritising players' wellbeing.

Maynard's unavailability is a blow to Collingwood's back-line for their season opener against St Kilda on March 18, with Jordan Roughead (shoulder) also sidelined.

However, Isaac Quaynor (concussion) will be fit to play and McRae said Jeremy Howe (groin) is a good chance to return after both missed the final practice match against GWS.

"At this stage it's not dire straits," McRae said.

Collingwood will have one final intra-club hit-out on Friday, one week out from the Saints clash at