North Melbourne ruckman Tristan Xerri has copped a three-match ban for wiping blood on the face of Essendon skipper Andrew McGrath – behaviour the AFL tribunal described as “disgraceful”. Tribunal chairman Jeff Gleeson KC was heavily critical of Xerri’s actions and said “the blood could quite easily have made contact with McGrath’s mouth”. A remorseful Xerri fronted the tribunal on Monday night, and immediately pleaded guilty to the charge of serious misconduct. AFL counsel Andrew Woods, SC, called for a three-match ban, while North Melbourne player advocate Justin Graham, KC, said a two-match suspension was appropriate. Xerri had called McGrath on Sunday to apologise, with McGrath accepting the apology, while Xerri – a member of the Kangaroos’ leadership group – had also apologised to his club. After deliberating for about 30 minutes, Gleeson ruled that Xerri was guilty of “disgraceful behaviour” and would miss matches against Carlton, Brisbane and Richmond.…