GEELONG midfielder Nakia Cockatoo has been cleared of a dangerous tackle against Adelaide's Dean Gore, with the Match Review Panel declaring his tackle was reasonable in the circumstances.
Gore was left with concussion after the tackle, which occurred in Sunday's clash at Richmond Oval, with Cockatoo placed on report for rough conduct.
The MRP found that Gore's decision to jump to receive a handball at the final moment before impact had been the cause of the awkward tackle, not Cockatoo's own actions.
"After reviewing all available video, it was the view of the panel that Cockatoo’s tackle did not consist of more than one action, was not unreasonable in the circumstances and did not lift Gore off the ground," the Panel said in its findings.
The finding allows Cockatoo to escape what would have been a hefty penalty, given his existing bad record and the high impact of the tackle which has left Gore in doubt for the Crows' final JLT Community Series match.
Dean Gore leaving the field after this heavy tackle from Nakia Cockatoo. #JLTSeries pic.twitter.com/nNjlmPIyxk
— AFL (@AFL) March 5, 2017
There were no players suspended out of the third week of pre-season games, with Port Adelaide ruckman Paddy Ryder the only player charged.
Ryder was offered a $1000 fine for rough conduct on Richmond midfielder Anthony Miles in Sunday's clash in Mount Gambier, a penalty he accepted on Tuesday morning.
His high bump was graded as careless conduct with low impact to the head, allowing the former Bomber to escape without suspension.
Sydney Swans superstar Lance Franklin was also assessed for making high contact to Greater Western Sydney recruit Tim Taranto on Friday night.
He was cleared, however, because opposing ruckman Shane Mumford pushed him into the contest.
"Contact between Franklin and Taranto was caused by circumstances outside the control of player Franklin that could not be reasonably foreseen," the Panel said.
Lance Franklin has just flattened Tim Taranto #JLTSeries pic.twitter.com/8LfJrqShRw
— AFL (@AFL) March 3, 2017