THE AFL'S revamped Tribunal guidelines are likely to let North Melbourne forward Lindsay Thomas escape with a fine for intentionally kicking an opponent in Sunday's elimination final against Richmond.

Thomas was reported for kicking Dylan Grimes in the chest after he was tackled in the third quarter of the Kangaroos' thrilling win at the MCG.

The MRP is certain to grade his conduct intentional and to the body, given Thomas made contact high on Grimes' chest but below the defender's neck.

It is likely he will escape with a fine, however, because the impact to Grimes was low. 

In 2014, kicking drew the highest possible demerit points and Thomas would not have been able to avoid a one-week penalty because of his previous record.

The only way he can be penalised with a stint on the sidelines is if the MRP grades the impact of his kick as medium because of the risk of serious injury.

That would hand the small forward a two-match base sanction that he can reduce to one-match with an early guilty plea.

Given Thomas didn't miss Grimes's head by much, and he was kicking the defender with the stud-side of his boot, the option to grade impact higher would be open to MRP when it convenes on Monday.

Fremantle star Nat Fyfe was the last player charged with kicking after he landed a boot on Richmond midfielder Dan Jackson's groin in 2013.

He was penalised with a one-match ban after an early guilty plea.