ESSENDON'S Andrew Welsh has failed in his attempt to downgrade his misconduct offence for kneeing Hawthorn's Xavier Ellis.

Welsh pleaded guilty to the misconduct charge at the AFL tribunal on Tuesday night but tried to downgrade the charge from intentional to reckless.

Welsh told the tribunal that as the vice-captain of Essendon he felt he hadn't been able to look his teammates in the eyes, while he was accused of intentionally kneeing an opponent.

The tribunal did not agree with Welsh's claim that the incident was not intentional and handed down the full penalty meaning he will miss the next four weeks and carry over 25 demerit points.

Essendon general manager of football operations Paul Hamilton told the club's web site that Welsh believed it was never his intent to knee Ellis in the groin.

"Unfortunately the tribunal didn't agree with that view and we have to accept the outcome," Hamilton said.

"We are obviously disappointed because Andrew is an important player for us and to have him missing for that period of time is disappointing."

The tribunal will sit again on Wednesday night to hear Brisbane Lion Matt Maguire appeal against his rough conduct charge for an incident involving Sydney Swan Jude Bolton.

Maguire was unable to appear before the tribunal on Tuesday night, forcing the sitting to be postponed until Wednesday.