Ladhams barrelled through Melbourne’s Taj Woewodin after the ball had crossed the boundary line during last weekend’s VFL clash.

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Woewodin attempted to swat the ball back into play but it was over the line and as he landed on his feet, Ladhams ran through him and left him flat on his back near the fence.

The brutal shot saw Ladhams handed a four-week ban which can be reduced down to three weeks with an early guilty plea.

It means Ladhams will more likely than not miss the entire AFL finals fixture for the Swans, unless they make the Grand Final.

In order for Ladhams to play again this season, the Swans would need to lose their qualifying final this weekend and play three games before the season decider.

Ladhams, 24, has suited up for the Swans 11 times this season after making the switch from Port Adelaide. Without him the Swans ruck stocks take a big hit.

In good news for the Swans, damaging small forward Tom Papley will be eligible to take his place in the team.

Papley left the Swans round 23 encounter due to concussion and under league protocols, must sit out 12 days before being back in the team.

If the Swans qualifying final clash had been scheduled for Thursday night, Papley would have been watching on from the stands. But the Swans were thanking there lucky stars when the fixture had them slotted into the Friday night timeslot.

It’s the second time this season Ladhams has been suspended after copping a one-week ban in June for striking former Port Adelaide teammate Ollie Wines.

AFL WEEK 1 FINALS PREVIEWS

BRISBANE LIONS v RICHMOND

SECOND ELIMINATION FINAL, GABBA, THURSDAY, 7.20PM

Brisbane

ROUND 20: RICHMOND 15.14 (104) d. BRISBANE LIONS 14.13 (97), MCG

WE SAY: All the pressure is on the Lions, which suits the surging Tigers just fine. Brisbane’s defeat to Melbourne was concerning and Richmond is primed to pounce.

EARLY CALL Richmond by 14 points

MELBOURNE DEMONS V SYDNEY SWANS

SECOND QUALIFYING FINAL, MCG, FRIDAY, 7.50PM

ROUND 12: SYDNEY 10.13 (73) d. MELBOURNE 9.7 (61), MCG

WE SAY: The Demons’ ability to snatch second spot off the Swans and a home final could prove pivotal. Their best football is still probably better than any other side.

EARLY CALL Melbourne by 12 points

GEELONG V COLLINGWOOD

FIRST QUALIFYING FINAL, MCG, SATURDAY, 4.35PM

ROUND 3: GEELONG 16.8 (104) d. COLLINGWOOD 13.13 (91), MCG

WE SAY: The Cats are deserving favourites and it would be a major disappointment if they dropped this one and only add to their underwhelming finals reputation.

EARLY CALL: Geelong by 22 points

FREMANTLE V WESTERN BULLDOGS

FIRST ELIMINATION FINAL, PERTH STADIUM, SATURDAY, 8.10PM

ROUND 21: FREMANTLE 14.11 (95) d. WESTERN BULLDOGS 11.12 (78), MARVEL STADIUM

WE SAY: The Bulldogs have shown their finishing position doesn’t hold them back form a finals push. But the loss to Fremantle in round 21, and just getting over the Hawks in the final round to sneak into the finals, makes them a worry this time around, especially against the Dockers at home.

EARLY CALL: Fremantle by 27 points