Hawthorn star Lance Franklin has avoided AFL suspension for his much-discussed sling tackle and will be free to work his magic against Brisbane at the MCG on Sunday.
Franklin’s report for rough conduct for a tackle on Port Adelaide’s Paul Stewart late in the Hawks’ 46-point win at AAMI Stadium was thrown out by the match review panel on Monday.
The panel said the competition’s leading goalkicker did not have a case to answer.
“Franklin did not have both of Stewart’s arms pinned in his tackle and took his opponent to the ground in one continuous motion,” the panel said.
“It was the view of the panel the tackle was not unreasonable in the circumstances and Stewart was not driven into the ground with excessive force.”
But Fremantle onballer Hayden Ballantyne and Essendon forward Alwyn Davey both face suspension after other panel rulings.
Ballantyne has been charged with striking over an elbow to Richmond skipper Chris Newman’s stomach during the Dockers’ 12-point weekend win.
He faces a one-match ban, ruling him out of Fremantle’s next match against Essendon on June 23.
Newman said immediately after last weekend’s match that the contact, which left him doubled over for nearly a minute, was forceful enough to “make me want to vomit”.
Davey can accept a two-match ban for rough conduct on Sydney’s Dan Hannebery if he makes an early guilty plea, or risk a three-game ban should he fight the matter at the AFL Tribunal.
In another contentious ruling, Geelong defender Josh Hunt was fined $1350 for misconduct for standing on Carlton opponent Eddie Betts’ hand during their match last Friday night.
Fremantle’s Ryan Crowley has received a $900 fine for making an obscene gesture during his weekend match.
And Hawthorn’s Liam Shiels and Port Adelaide’s Danyle Pearce have received $900 wrestling fines.
All players have until lunchtime Tuesday to decide whether to accept their penalties or contest the matters at the tribunal.