Fremantle forward Pat Voss has failed in his bid to have a three game suspension for striking reduced and will be sidelined for games against Melbourne, Adelaide and St Kilda.

Voss challenged the three match ban given to him for striking Richmond’s Nick Vlastuin. The incident was graded as careless conduct with high contact and severe impact after it left the Tiger with a fractured nose which required manipulation on Sunday.

AFL lawyer Amara Hughes said Voss’ swinging arm and the speed he attacked the contest meant there was a risk for more serious injury and that should result in the level of impact being listed as severe.

But Voss’ lawyer Tim Hammond said of the 24 cases since the start of 2023 where players have been found guilty of severe impact, 23 of the victims didn’t play the following week. Richmond’s medical report said Vlastuin wouldn’t even miss a training session.

The tribunal agreed with the AFL’s submission saying the forceful blow to the head had the potential to cause a more serious injury.

Voss’ ability to play as both a forward and relief ruckman has helped Fremantle in the opening rounds of the season. He helped to set up the match sealing goal for Murphy Reid against the Western Bulldogs when he played in the ruck for the entire final quarter.

Coach Justin Longmuir said the suspension was a blow for the in-form side.

“It’s disappointing for the team, he’s playing a very important role for us and disappointed for Vossy,” he told 7NEWS.

“He’s playing some really good footy and starting to build his game and make more of his opportunities.

“He added more of his ruck to his repertoire over the last couple of weeks so we’re going to miss him.”

Luke Jackson is still recovering from a hamstring injury and Fremantle need to decide whether to fly Liam Reidy to Melbourne to play alongside Sean Darcy or move another player into the team as the third tall forward who can also play in the ruck.

Key defender Brennan Cox said the club would have to consider the options.

“It could be anyone from Banfield or McDonald down at Peel as well coming in or someone swinging from back. We’ve got heaps of options that could do that,” he said.

Covering for Voss’ energy will also be a challenge.

The key forward has been an energiser inside 50 for the Dockers and Cox said the team needed to find new ways to get the team buzzing.

“He reminds me of a Golden Retriever or a Labrador with the way he goes about it. He’s just a ball of energy all the time. It is hard to replace. It’s unique to him,” he said.

“You’ve seen the energy he brings from goal celebrations and the pressure acts he does on the field. He brings a lot of energy and lifts the boys up. He’s been in pretty good form.

“He had goalkicking issues in the first couple of games but he’s really fixed them. His forward craft and the way he presents at the ball and his follow up is really good. It’s going to be a bit of a blow to lose him.”