Geelong will be without Norm Smith Medallist Steve Johnson for it's round one blockbuster against Hawthorn after the forward was accepted a one week suspension by the AFL's match review panel.

Johnson tangled with Fremantle player Hayden Ballantyne in the second half of their NAB Cup encounter on Saturday night.

Johnson was  charged with a Level Two striking offence (125 demerit points, one match) for striking Hayden Ballantyne, Fremantle, during the second half of the Round One NAB Cup match between the Geelong Cats and Fremantle, played at Patersons Stadium on Saturday February 16, 2013.

Based on the video evidence available and a medical report from the Fremantle Football Club, the incident was assessed as intentional conduct (three points), low impact (one point) and body contact (one point). This is a total of five activation points, resulting in a classification of a Level Two offence, drawing 125 demerit points and a one-match sanction. He has an existing bad record of 80.38 demerit points carried over from within the last 12 months, increasing the penalty to 205.38 points and a two-match sanction. An early plea reduces the sanction by 25 per cent to 154.04 points and a one-match sanction.

Although Ballantyne stayed on the ground immediately after the incident he arose shortly after to continue playing.

Ballantyne and the Cats were also involved in heated incidents last season where Ballantyne was suspended for striking Paul Chapman and retired Cat Matthew Scarlett was suspended for striking the Dockers' forward.

Due to a change in AFL rules, Johnson must miss the Cats round one clash with Hawthorn but will be available to play the rest of the NAB Cup.