The Victorian Country Football League appeals board will hear the case at BFL headquarters Saxon House in Ballarat tonight.

The BFL independent tribunal suspended Gadsden on Monday night after finding him guilty of having struck Redan's Chris Matthews in the qualifying final at Melton on Saturday.

He was reported by two umpires, who alleged Gadsden made head-high contact with two fists to Matthews.

As it stands, the suspension means Gadsden's finals series is over.

If the Lions reach the grand final, they will play only another three matches.

Sunbury meets Lake Wendouree in the first semi-final at the Eastern Oval in Ballarat on Sunday.

Sunbury president Richard Baird said yesterday that video evidence would be pivotal to the appeal.

He said the club was confident video footage would show the tribunal had made the wrong decision.

Sunbury advocate Darren Bell asked the BFL tribunal on Monday night to accept video evidence.

However, the request was refused on the grounds Sunbury had not provided a signed statutory declaration certifying the video had not been altered or tampered with - a requirement under VCFL rules.

Mr Bell stated at the time that he had been unaware of the requirement, but BFL chief executive officer Rod Ward said yesterday that all clubs had been informed in writing of tribunal procedures in April and July.

VCFL operations manager Shaun Connell said the VCFL had chosen to have the three-man appeals board sit in Ballarat in keeping with a regional policy.

"We've attempted to take the (appeals) board to the regions this year for the convenience of all," he said.

Sunbury has paid $2000 to have the appeal heard and must have a cheque for $3000 at the hearing.

If the appeal is lost or considered frivolous, the appeals board may determine to take all or part of the $3000.

This is the third time in three seasons Sunbury has appealed against suspensions during the finals.

The Lions have been successful on the two previous occasions, which each involved Mark Power.

In 2002, the VCFL appeals board overturned a two-match suspension placed on Power by the BFL independent tribunal.

Power had pleaded guilty to having wrestled with Redan's Mark Kennedy in the second semi-final.