Star forward Lance Franklin is free to take on St Kilda on Saturday after being cleared by the match review panel.
Contact between Franklin and North Melbourne’s Sam Durdin from the third quarter of Sunday’s match was assessed.
It was the view of the panel that Durdin has the ball as Franklin approaches him to tackle. Franklin has his arm extended and his hand open as Durdin disposes of the ball. The North Melbourne player ducks as Franklin comes towards him and Franklin makes contact over the right shoulder of Durdin.
A free kick was paid at the time for the high contact and it was the view of the panel no further action was required as Franklin’s action was not a striking motion.
In a further note from the match review panel it has been revealed that the AFL will be writing to the two clubs under the AFL Player Rules for club involvement in a melee.
The clubs have the right to respond in writing before any final decision is made on sanction for the clubs and/or players.
The clubs have seven days in which to respond.
