Port Adelaide forward John Butcher has saved himself $1600 after being cleared by the AFL tribunal of involvement in a melee.

Butcher sparked a large scuffle when he collided with Melbourne’s Colin Sylvia in a marking contest in the final quarter of Friday night’s AAMI Stadium encounter.

Sylvia’s heavy landing caused spinal fractures which are expected to sideline the Demon for up to six weeks.

But Butcher avoided a fine for melee involvement by successfully arguing that while he was at the centre of the melee, he had no choice, as Demons’ players confronted him after his clash with Sylvia.

Four other players – two from each club – accepted fines for involvement in the same melee.

Melbourne’s Nathan Jones accepted a reprimand for a low-grade striking charge.

Geelong’s Joel Selwood and Western Bulldog Liam Picken accepted fines for wrestling each other, while Gold Coast’s Karmichael Hunt was fined for making contact with an umpire.