Hawthorn captain Luke Hodge should play in Friday night’s AFL clash with West Coast despite being charged with rough conduct.
Hodge has been cleared over the collision which fractured the cheekbone of Carlton skipper Marc Murphy last Friday night as it was ruled he had no realistic alternative way to contest the ball.
His charge relates to a later high bump on Blues defender Lachie Henderson.
But the minor grading of the offence, which was ruled negligent conduct of low impact, means Hodge can avoid suspension provided he pleads guilty and accepts a reprimand.
The catch is the 93.75 demerit points Hodge will carry as a result means even a light offence later this season will attract a ban.
Teammate Jarryd Roughead has been cleared over a collision with Carlton’s Kade Simpson.
And a jab by Fremantle’s Stephen Hill to the face of Brisbane’s Andrew Raines on Saturday was deemed too soft to constitute a strike.