Melbourne’s chances of a strong finals campaign have taken a significant hit after the AFL upheld the three-game suspension for key forward Jacob van Rooyen. The Demons challenged the ban, issued for a striking incident, hoping to have it overturned or lessened, but the appeal was unsuccessful. Van Rooyen will now miss three crucial games, dealing a blow to Melbourne’s forward line. The suspension stems from an incident during a recent match, deemed forceful and impacting an opponent. This decision leaves the Demons with a weakened attack heading into the critical final stages of the season. Melbourne will need to rely on other players to fill the void left by the suspended star. The team now faces an uphill battle to contend for the premiership without one of their key forwards.