GEELONG forward Mathew Stokes is free to take on St Kilda in this weekend’s qualifying final after being cleared of any wrongdoing following a match-day report against the West Coast Eagles on Saturday.
Stokes was booked in the third quarter of Saturday’s 99-point thumping of West Coast at Skilled Stadium after he made high contact with Eagle Chad Fletcher.
The small forward was slightly late to a marking contest and appeared to make contact with Fletcher’s head.
Making the Cats’ wait more anxious was the fact Stokes has added points hanging over his head from a previous indiscretion – meaning had his charge been assessed by the Match Review Panel it would have come in for extra loading.
However when reviewing video evidence of the report on Monday the MRP deemed Stokes’ report didn’t warrant any further action, meaning the exciting goalkicker will be able to take the field against the Saints at the MCG on Sunday.
The other cases considered by the Match Review Panel, will have little impact on this week’s finals.
Sydney Swan Jude Bolton was charged with a Level One engaging in rough conduct offence against Albert Proud but his previous five-year good record means that he can accept a reprimand and 70.31 points towards his future record with an early plea.
Bolton’s teammate Barry Hall was cleared of two separate incidents involving contact with Daniel Merrett in the first and third quarters.
Amon Buchanan was also cleared of contact with Michael Rischitelli as it was deemed that he had eyes on the ball.
Western Bulldog Brian Lake was cleared of striking Adelaide’s Scott Stevens as the high contact was deemed to be accidental.
Jamie Charman of the Brisbane Lions has been offered a one-match sanction after he was charged with a Level Two striking offence against Brett Kirk. His previous poor record means that his one-match sanction cannot be reduced, even with an early plea.
Carlton’s Nick Stevens has also been offered a one-match sanction with an early plea for striking Rick Ladson. Stevens risks a two-match ban if he unsuccessfully challenges the ruling.