* Anthony Rocca, 2003. The Collingwood forward was banned two games for striking Port Adelaide's Brendon Lade in a preliminary final. Rocca and the Pies challenged the verdict at the AFL Appeals Board, but lost. The Magpies were defeated in the grand final.
* Jason Cloke, 2002. The Collingwood utility was suspended two matches for striking Adelaide's Tyson Edwards in a preliminary final. Like Rocca would a year later, the Pies challenged the tribunal verdict but lost at the AFL Appeals Board. The Magpies lost the grand final.
* Jason McCartney, 1999. The North Melbourne tall was banned two games for striking Brisbane's Clark Keating in a preliminary final. The Kangaroos won the flag.
* Peter Schwab, 1989. The Hawthorn midfielder was suspended three games for striking Essendon's Andrew Manning in the second semi-final. He missed the Hawks' grand final win.
* Steven O'Dwyer, 1988. The Melbourne ruckman was suspended for three matches for striking Carlton's Steven Da Rui in a preliminary final. The Demons lost the grand final.
* Phil Carman, 1977. The Collingwood utility was banned two games for striking Hawthorn's Michael Tuck in the second semi-final. He missed the grand final, which was drawn, and also the replay to decide the premiership the next week, which the Pies lost.
* Neville Crowe, 1967. The Richmond ruck was suspended for four matches for striking Carlton's John Nicholls in the second semi-final. He missed the Tigers' premiership and never played another VFL game.
* Carl Ditterich, 1966. The St Kilda ruckman was suspended six games for striking Fitzroy's Daryl Peoples in the second semi-final. He missed the Saints' grand final win, which remains the club's only premiership.
(Footnote: list is of players suspended in a final series)