Geelong vice-captain Tom Stewart has been suspended for four matches at Tuesday night's tribunal hearing.

Stewart will miss games against North Melbourne, Melbourne, Carlton and Port Adelaide and will be available for selection again in Round 20. 

Stewart was charged with Rough Conduct after an incident with Dion Prestia during the first quarter of Saturday’s game against Richmond at the MCG. He was subsequently referred directly to the Tribunal without the option of an early plea.

The Match Review Officer assessed the incident as Careless Conduct, Severe Impact, High Contact. 

Stewart spoke to media after the hearing. 

"As I said from the start I accept the tribunal’s decision," he said.

"I’m disappointed in my actions and I have to own that as a man. My immediate response was Dion’s wellness and that of his family that have had to experience this.

"As disappointed and disheartened as I am right now, it’s still not about me, it’s about Dion’s wellbeing and how he is. 

"I understand I did the wrong thing and ultimately what I chose to do resulted in somebody getting knocked out. That is not how I play the game, and never has been. My actions resulted in a consequence that I never wanted to happen so I had to own that."