Kangaroos midfielder Jess Sinclair can expect at least a five-game suspension when he appears before the AFL tribunal.

Sinclair and his captain Anthony Stevens were booked on video evidence after Saturday night's fiery match against Hawthorn at Telstra Dome.

The Kangaroos confirmed Sinclair will plead guilty to his strike on Hawks utility Lance Picioane, which left Picioane with a fractured cheek, concussion and a cut face.

The full extent of Picioane's injuries will not be known until the swelling in his face subsides later this week.

Despite Sinclair's remorse in the last two days, the tribunal is sure to make an example of him after the much-publicised incident.

It was a similar blow to the one that earned Adelaide's Mark Bickley a five-game ban last season for fracturing the cheekbone of Port Adelaide's Darryl Wakelin.

Bickley also pleaded guilty to his charge.

Picioane said he appreciated Sinclair calling him afterwards to apologise for the final-quarter blow.

A steady supply of painkillers was also keeping Picioane in good spirits.

He was sporting stitches and a swollen face when he appeared on Channel Seven.

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