A character reference from Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and media advocate Waleed Aly persuaded the AFL tribunal that Bachar Houli was of such character that they halved his penalty for knocking out Carlton's Jed Lamb.

Houli was banned for two weeks with the tribunal declaring "it is very rare that we come across an example of such a fine character ... and on that basis it's a two week penalty."

The AFL's counsel Andrew Woods argued for a four week ban which he said was the starting point for the tribunal in any case of an intentional strike with high impact to the head. Houli's lawyer Sam Tovey argued on account of his character Houli deserved to serve only two weeks.

Houli argued that he had carelessly struck Lamb but had not intended to strike him as he was a peaceful and religious person and was shocked to find himself charged with intentionally hurting another person.  

"I am really shocked (to be accused of intentional striking). It's something I have never ever done in my life and something I would never ever do. Its part of my practice in my religion. I am a peaceful person. I am proud of how I have conducted myself and handled myself and its something I teach to young boys and girls."

He said striking "shouldn't exist, you will get nowhere on the field and more importantly nowhere off the field if you hold yourself to that sort of character".

The tribunal received glowing references from Mr Turnbull, Dr Aly and AFL diversity manager Ali Fahour which were argued should mitigate the claim he had intended to strike. 

Charman ross Howie admitted the character evidence was largely only relevant to the issue of penalty but could be used by the tribunal when deciding Houli's state of mind and whether he was the sort of person who on the balance of probabilities he intended to strike.

The tribunal accepted Houli was guilty of an intentional strike but after accepting the references, learning of the work he did in the Islamic community with his own academy and football league, they accepted he was of such fine character the penalty should be reduced.

Houli said he was "going for his arm" when he swung his arm back to get separation from Lamb as they ran from the contest and Houli was hoping to receive a handball further on in a chain of play. He was shocked to see Lamb on the ground.

"I felt really bad obviously seeing him on the floor, I was shocked to be quite honest. I felt really bad," Houli said..

Chairman Ross Howie said the charge was "intention to strike, there does not need to be an intention to strike to the head." 

Houli's counsel Sam Tovey had argued that there were exceptional circumstances in the case arguing Houli's character and exemplary record was proof he had not acted intentionally.

Counsel assisting the tribunal Andrew Woods countered that "there is nothing exceptional or compelling about having a clean record". Howie said his record was only relevant to a penalty.

It was argued whether the incident was behind the play - which has a greater likelihood of the charge being intentional - or in play.

Houli said that after the game he left his celebrating teammates to seek out Carlton leaders Mark Murphy and Bryce Gibbs to apologise and insist he had not intended to hit Lamb.

He also text Lamb after the game as soon as he could get his number so that he could apologise to him again and reassure him he had not meant to strike him.

Umpire Matt Stevic who laid the charge on the day said he categorised the incident as careless.

"I deemed it to be careless by reason that Houli was not looking at the player which he struck him," he said.