ADELAIDE star Bryce Gibbs has earned a reprieve at the AFL Tribunal after being found not guilty of engaging in rough conduct following an off-the-ball incident involving Joel Selwood.

Gibbs had been offered a $2000 fine by match review officer Michael Christian for the incident, which floored Selwood midway through the first quarter on Thursday night.

It had been graded as careless conduct with low impact to the head, though Gibbs' team argued that the contact made did not warrant a rough conduct charge.

They also successfully argued that Selwood initiated the contact with Gibbs, who they said was bracing for contact rather than electing to bump his opponent.

Although a Geelong medical report said Selwood was assessed for a knock to the jaw, Gibbs said he was "shocked" the Cats skipper went to ground as a result of the incident.

Gibbs risked a $3000 fine for taking his case to the Tribunal.

The longer-than-expected hearing went for a total of 71 minutes, with the jury deliberating for 13 of those, with the lengthy case surprising even Gibbs.

"I was a little bit (surprised it took so long)," he said afterwards.

"It's my first time doing something like this at the Tribunal, so I did think it would take a little bit quicker. But I'm glad it went well."