HAWTHORN captain Luke Hodge will line up against Fremantle in Friday night's preliminary final after being cleared to play by the Match Review Panel.
The MRP on Monday looked into the triple-premiership star's high tackle on Adelaide's Brodie Smith in Friday's semi-final at the MCG.
The panel said although Hodge made high contact to the young Crows midfielder, a free kick was paid at the time and it was out of Hodge's control that Smith lost his footing at the contest.
Although the incident was never likely to see Hodge ruled out of the preliminary final meeting with the Dockers, it will be a relief for the club as it prepares to head west to take on the ladder-leaders.
The news was not quite as good for retired Sydney Swans star Adam Goodes, who was fined $1000 for kicking at North Melbourne defender Scott Thompson.
Goodes fell to the ground in the third quarter of the Swans' loss to the Roos after a minor scuffle with Thompson, and while on the ground kicked Thompson's legs.
He was charged with a first misconduct offence by the MRP, which draws a fixed $1500 penalty.
With no applicable bad record, Goodes acccepted an early plea on Tuesday morning and reduced the fine to $1000.
The 372-gamer confirmed his retirement after Saturday night's defeat and a tumultuous year in the spotlight.
The MRP closely assessed one other incident – Adelaide midfielder Scott Thompson's tackle on Hodge – but said it was not required to take any action on the tackle.
Goodes wrestles with Scott Thompson during the Swans' loss on Saturday. Picture: AFL Media
