AFL investigation clears Demons’ Jetta

Match review boss Michael Christian has cleared Melbourne defender Neville Jetta of eye-gouging after an AFLX incident.

Christian scrutinised video of the incident late in Melbourne’s AFLX grand final on Friday night against Hawthorn at Etihad Stadium.

Jetta and Hawks opponent Blake Hardwick went to ground in a wrestle.

“I certainly looked at the vision very, very closely and in conjunction with the medical report and feedback from Hawthorn, there was no evidence to suggest that there were any marks on Hardwick’s face,” Christian told the AFL website.

“Certainly, no evidence of any eye-gouging.”

Christian also decided against charging Jetta with unreasonable or unnecessary contact to the face.

“There was an element of vigour from Jetta but I didn’t believe that any of his actions were forceful enough to constitute a reportable offence,” Christian said.

Jetta finished fifth in Melbourne’s best-and-fairest voting last year and made the All-Australian squad.

The 28-year-old small defender played every game for the first time in nine seasons, taking him to 116 senior matches.

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