Carlton skipper Chris Judd has been banned for four matches for his 'chicken wing' style tackle on North Melbourne's Leigh Adams.

The two-time Brownlow medallist was referred directly to the AFL tribunal for the incident, which occurred in the second quarter of Friday's round 16 clash at Docklands.

The suspension means he is now ineligible to win this year's Brownlow Medal.

Adams, who immediately left the field for treatment to a partially dislocated shoulder, had been lying helpless when his arm was manipulated by Judd, according to legal counsel Jeff Gleeson SC.

Judd claimed he was trying to assist his team-mate Andrew Carrazzo in stripping the ball from Adams, but admitted his conduct was unacceptable.

Charged with intentional misconduct, Judd pleaded guilty to misconduct but said it was merely reckless.

He disputed his act was likely to bring the game into disrepute but said it might have appeared to be unsportsmanlike, although it was not intended to be so.

"It was never my intention to hurt Leigh Adams," Judd told the waiting media after copping his punishment.

"I've obviously expressed this apology to him personally since the event, and we'd just like to extend that apology to the Carlton Footy Club and their supporters."

Gleeson said Judd had expressed genuine remorse but the fact that he had not conceded to unsportsmanlike conduct meant he should not be eligible for a discount from Gleeson's recommended penalty of at least four matches.

"Adams was pinned and defenceless. It caused Adams pain and a partial dislocation of the shoulder," Gleeson said.

When asked if his pull on Adams' arm was a vigorous one, Judd snapped: "Compared to what?

"While I had hold of his arm, I was focusing on whether Carrazzo was able to strip the ball."

Judd said when he looked up and realised Adams's arm was in an unprotected position, he let go.

"I just wouldn't have grabbed his arm if I had my time over again," Judd said.

"I am not trying to wriggle out of this.

"That's why I'm here tonight, to cop my whack."

Reporting boundary umpire Mark Foster also said he felt Adams was defenceless.

"I thought it was an unsportsmanlike act and it had the potential to cause serious injury," Foster said.

After Judd was found guilty, player advocate Simon Wilson QC said a penalty of two-to-three matches would be proper.

Gleeson said Judd's action was devoid of a football context, a suggestion Wilson described as fatuous.

Judd's case was the first time a player's report had been referred directly to the tribunal, without the option of a discounted penalty with an early guilty plea, in more than three years.

He will now miss Carlton's matches against Western Bulldogs, Richmond, Sydney and Brisbane.