Conor Nash sent an apology text message to Gryan Miers in the aftermath of their clash during Hawthorn's Easter Monday defeat to Geelong, insisting there was no malice intended.

The incident occurred during the third quarter, with Nash collecting the Cat high with a swinging arm during a contest at a stoppage.

Nash has been since handed a four-match ban for the hit which left Miers concussed.

Part of the evidence presented at the Tribunal was a text message sent by Nash to Miers the day after the incident in which he expressed deep remorse.

"Hi Gryan, Conor Nash here," it said. "Firstly, I just want to check in on how you've pulled up today. Hopefully not too bad and can get back on track soon.

"I'm also reaching out to let you know there really wasn't any malice to that hit. I tried to play the ball and I just got it badly wrong.

"Yes, I do try playing the game with a physical presence, but not in that spirit. Just want you to know that again.

"Very sorry for what's happened and all the circus around it. Hopefully it's just a week for you and you're right to go.

"All the best for the rest of the season. Go well. Cheers, Conor."

Nash will miss the Hawks’ matches against West Coast, Richmond, Melbourne and Gold Coast.

The league argued that Nash’s action was at more than a base level of carelessness and severity, while also suggesting Nash had no prospect of gaining possession or spoiling the ball. There was no doubt that the contact was high.

The Hawks argued that the incident be graded as simply careless with high contact and severe impact, as well as a football action gone wrong.

If the Hawks had succeeded, Nash would most likely have received a three-game ban.

SHOULD HAVE BEEN SIX

Brownlow Medallist Gerard Healy believes that pushing for four games was an ‘easy win’ for the AFL, adding that the incident could have even received up to six weeks.

“Four weeks for Conor Nash,” Healy said on SEN Sportsday.

“He should have gone for six, but that was an easy win for the AFL, that one.

“The explanation has come through and he (Tribunal Chair Jeff Gleeson) says it was a swinging action and he accepts the ball was at head height.

“But by the time he was hit, the ball was at waist height. I think that he's been very kind there, the judge.

“Ultimately he's not going to give six weeks if the AFL want four, but he should have stood up and said, 'No, this is six weeks'.”

The Irishman is now set to miss clashes against West Coast, Richmond, Melbourne and Gold Coast. His absence further depletes Hawthorn's midfield which was already without Will Day.