Collingwood midfielder Jack Crisp has escaped a ban for placing bets totalling $129 on AFL markets while at former club Brisbane Lions in 2014.

The AFL fined Crisp $5000 but he escaped a ban due to his co-operation with its investigation and he will be free to play his former club in round one.

Crisp will also have to undergo counselling for a period to be determined by the counsellor and his club.

The lack of a ban comes as welcome relief for Collingwood, after a horror day in which it was confirmed that players Lachie Keeffe and Josh Thomas were the subject of an ASADA investigation.

The duo returned positive `A’ samples for the banned weight-loss drug clenbuterol.

While the club said it will support both players it could be without their services for an indeterminate period.

Crisp’s fine for wagering on AFL markets is the first of 2015, after the AFL cleared Western Bulldogs player Lachie Hunter of the same charge.

In Hunter’s case the AFL accepted his explanation that the bets were placed by a VFL player.

Hunter also immediately notified the Bulldogs that his account had been used to place a bet on a Bulldogs pre-season loss to Melbourne on March 14.

Crisp’s case was considered the most serious of the annual audit of players, coaches and officials.

Five minor breaches were not adjudged to be serious concerns but those involved were issued with first and final warnings.

AFL general counsel Andrew Dillon issued a stern warning to those thinking about having a bet.

“At all times, players, coaches and senior officials are expressly prohibited from any betting involving AFL matches or events,” Dillon told the AFL website.

“The AFL will continue to rigorously examine all betting activity across all partners to ensure the rules are fully complied with at all times.”