The Greater Western Sydney GIANTS have accepted a two-match sanction with an early plea for playing assistant coach James McDonald.

The AFL match review panel charged McDonald with engaging in rough conduct against Luke Parker of the Sydney Swans during the first quarter of Saturday night’s Sydney Derby at ANZ Stadium.

McDonald will continue in his role as assistant coach of the GIANTS’ midfield during his suspension. Under AFL rules for suspended players, he is not permitted on the playing arena during match days while he is serving his tow match ban.