The Group 10 and Western Division back-rower was found guilty of three separate incidents stemming from last weekend’s 20-12 qualifying semi-final loss to Orange CYMS at Lithgow’s Tony Luchetti Sportsground.

Van Veen was found guilty of striking after being placed on report for the use of knees during last Sunday’s game.

He was later cited and also charged and found guilty of striking with the elbow in a separate incident.

In the most serious of the three charges, Van Veen was slapped with a misconduct breach after becoming involved in an altercation with the crowd when re-entering the playing field after a stint in the sin bin late in the loss.

Group 10’s most polarising figure, Van Veen was found guilty of misconduct and, on top of the two striking offences, will serve one of the longest suspensions handed down by the Group 10 judiciary panel.

Out of the same off-field altercation, Lithgow trainer Kip Maranda was found guilty of misconduct.

He was given a 12-month suspended sentence and fined $1000. 

Van Veen will be banned until December 31, 2014 - the longest ban since the now infamous CYMS-Hawks derby brawl in 2011 resulted in two players serving 15-month and 16-month suspensions.

Group 10 president Linore Zamparini was disappointed the game was forced into implementing such a serious penalty.

But he stressed enough was enough.

“We had to react and certainly the judiciary has done that in a positive manner,” Zamparini said.

“No one likes to see anyone rubbed out of the game but it’s about the safety of players, spectators and officials. A lot of people have put a lot of effort into the year and in this instance, it just got away from us a little.

“We can’t be everywhere but hopefully something like this will help set a standard.”

Van Veen wasn’t the only player suspended on Thursday night.

In another blow for Lithgow ahead of today’s minor semi-final against Oberon, Workies teammate Corey Willmott was hit with a high-grade high tackle charge and will serve a five-week ban after being found guilty.

Blayney under 18s player Alex Hanrahan was given a nine-week suspension following a biting incident out of the Bears’ clash with Oberon on August 4.

All players have 48 hours to appeal the suspensions.

However, at the time of print, Group 10 had been given no indication Workies would appeal the penalties handed down.