North Melbourne chairman James Brayshaw has used the decision not to charge Lenny Hayes to have another shot at the AFL over Jack Ziebell’s suspension.

The match review panel ruled that Hayes was contesting the ball and had no realistic alternative when the St Kilda star made heavy contact with Geelong opponent Taylor Hunt in Friday night’s match.

Brayshaw applauded the decision, but said it put Ziebell’s controversial four-game ban last month in an even harsher light.

Ziebell was suspended for a clash with Carlton’s Aaron Joseph.

“I like the decision, but I wonder if you wandered down to Aegis Park and stopped the bloke who wears No.7 and said ‘you copped a month for contesting the footy and this bloke has no case to answer’ – what do you reckon he’d say,” Brayshaw said on TripleM radio.

For his part, Ziebell used Twitter to applaud the Hayes decision.

“Great to see Lenny Hayes get off – a ferocious attack on the ball is what the game’s about,” he said.

Meanwhile, star West Coast midfielder Daniel Kerr can escape suspension ahead of Saturday night’s must-win AFL match against Collingwood.

The match review panel charged Kerr with striking Port Adelaide opponent Chad Wingard but if the Eagle takes the early plea he will only receive a reprimand.

Kerr would also have 93.75 points – just shy of a week’s suspension – hanging over his head if he accepts the charge.

The Eagles will take fourth place and the double chance from Collingwood if they win Saturday’s match at home, with one more game before the finals.

While it was a busy day for the match review panel, Kerr’s case was the only one with suspension implications for any of the finalists.

Saturday’s quarter-time melee at the MCG cost 17 Carlton and Essendon players a total of $34,400 in fines.

Nine Carlton and eight Essendon players were booked for their parts in the scuffle.

Essendon’s Paddy Ryder was fined $4000 for his third melee involvement, while teammate Michael Hurley and Blues trio Heath Scotland, Chris Judd and Mitch Robinson received $2800 penalties for their second offence.

The fines total drops to $25,800 if all 17 players accept their penalties.

Western Bulldogs ruckman Will Minson can accept a one-game ban for stomping Sydney midfielder Kieren Jack in Sunday’s game at Etihad Stadium.

Melbourne forward Lynden Dunn has received a reprimand for staging, while Port Adelaide’s Aaron Young and Brisbane defender Andrew Raines can accept $900 fines for negligent umpire contact.