Carlton's Chris Yarran has been referred directly to the AFL Tribunal for an incident involving Essendon's Paul Chapman early in Saturday's match at the MCG.

Yarran has been charged with striking Chapman behind the play in the first quarter of the game.

By being referred directly to the tribunal it means Yarran won't have the chance to enter an early plea.

Based on the video evidence available, and a medical report from Essendon, the Match Review Panel classified the incident as intentional conduct with high impact to the head.

After the match Carlton coach Mick Malthouse said the incident was out of character.

"It's quite uncharacteristic. He (Yarran) just said things happen. He said he didn't know why, how and that's the way it is," Malthouse said.

"It certainly wasn't preconceived."

Yarran has an unblemished record since making his debut in 2009.