Port Adelaide defender Dan Houston has been handed a five-match ban, following Tuesday evening's AFL tribunal hearing.

Houston was cited by the Match Review Officer for rough conduct on Adelaide's Izak Rankine during the third quarter of Saturday's Showdown. The incident was classified as careless conduct and severe impact with high contact.

Houston read a prepared statement during the tribunal hearing, which stated his remorse for causing injury to Rankine, and that he did not believe he had made any contact with Rankine's head, neck or the top of the shoulders. He did however accept that the bump caused Rankine's head to hit the ground.

Acting for Houston, lawyer Ben Krupka argued that the contact with the ground caused Rankine's concussion, not the initial contact from Houston. He also claimed that Houston stayed low and his feet never left the ground during the bump.

Mr Krupka reinforced Houston's fairness as a player and that the incident was 'out of character'. Houston has never received a suspension in AFL football in his 168 games at the level and has only ever received one fine for engaging in a wrestle/melee.

In its verdict, the tribunal stated that Rankine was vulnerable and Houston made forceful contact to Rankine's upper shoulder and neck, breaching his duty of care. They did take into account his good record, however agreed with the AFL that the appropriate sanction was five games.

Port Adelaide will consider its position overnight as to whether it wishes to appeal the verdict.