GEELONG champion Gary Ablett has copped the first suspension of his illustrious career, offered a one-match ban for his clumsy forearm to the head of Dylan Shiel.

Ablett left the ground as he collided with Shiel, attempting to brace for contact with an outstretched arm and catching the star Essendon midfielder in the side of the face.

The incident was graded by Match Review Officer Michael Christian as intentional conduct with low impact to the head, equating to a one-game suspension.

Gary Ablett has been reported for striking Dylan Shiel.#AFLCatsDons pic.twitter.com/OgH77KnRIJ — AFL (@AFL) May 5, 2019

He will subsequently miss next Sunday's clash with North Melbourne.

The collision drew comparisons to last week's incident involving James Cousins and Sam Petrevski-Seton, which led to the Hawthorn midfielder being slapped with a one-game ban.

Cousins didn't elect to challenge the suspension at the AFL Tribunal.