The MRP charged Houli with striking and referred the incident directly to the Tribunal, with no early plea available.

Lamb was left concussed and unable to resume in the game, after the off-the-ball incident in the first quarter of Sunday's match at the MCG.

Houli has already expressed his remorse and texted Lamb on Sunday night, but is expected to face a lengthy ban, despite having no previous record.

The MRP statement read: "Based on the available video evidence and a medical report from the Carlton Football Club, the incident was assessed as intentional conduct with high impact to the head."

Speaking to AFL.com.au on Monday morning, Houli stressed he felt the strike wasn't intentional, as he was trying to shack an off-the-ball tackle.

"Absolutely not, that's unlike me," Houli said.

"I've been playing for 11 years and I've never had an incident like that in my life, I should say, not only my footy career."