WEST Coast captain Shannon Hurn and Geelong forward Tom Hawkins have earned giant reprieves from Match Review Officer Michael Christian, cleared for awkward incidents that occurred over the weekend.
In a significant test case for Christian, Hurn was cleared for a bump on Mitch Honeychurch that left the Western Bulldogs midfielder with a concussion.
STRAIGHT TO TRIBUNAL Charges could end Hawk's season
Hurn had turned his body and braced for contact with Honeychurch, who had his head down as he was chasing the footy, with the 23-year-old leaving the field in a neck brace and on a stretcher. He was later cleared of any serious damage.
Mitch Honeychurch was taken off on a stretcher following this clash with Shannon Hurn.#AFLEaglesDogs pic.twitter.com/Ll60Vd3Z0b
— AFL (@AFL) July 22, 2018
"We certainly looked at it closely," Christian said.
"The key aspect to the Hurn incident was that he had created a stationary position. He was stationary, the ball bobbled past him and Honeychurch was coming towards him.
"He moved his body to protect himself and we believed that in the situation, he was entitled to turn to protect himself and brace for what was inevitable contact."
Hawkins was also cleared for an apparent strike on Melbourne utility Bayley Fritsch.
The Cats forward appeared to try and shove Fritsch in the chest, instead catching him in the face in what was a clumsy incident. However, the Demon was fine and able to take his kick.
"Tom was above Bayley and he reached down with what I would describe as a pushing motion with an open hand to his chest," Christian said.
"There was incidental contact made with the inside of his forearm to Bayley's face, but in assessing the medical report … we didn't believe there was enough head-high contact to warrant a charge."
Will Tom Hawkins come under scrutiny for this incident involving Bayley Fritsch?#AFLCatsDees pic.twitter.com/dHrbTtjdje
— AFL.com.au (@AFLcomau) July 21, 2018
In other incidents across the weekend, Brisbane defender Tom Cutler was suspended for two games after being charged for rough conduct on Lachlan Murphy.
Cutler had jumped into Murphy, who was leaping for a mark, catching the Crows youngster high. The incident was graded as careless conduct, with high impact to the head.
Lachlan Murphy was taken off with the assistance of trainers after this contest.#AFLLionsCrows pic.twitter.com/8I2RfpqSKq
— AFL (@AFL) July 21, 2018
Fellow Brisbane player Daniel McStay was fined $2000 for rough conduct on Luke Brown, while Jake Barrett was slapped with a $2000 fine for front-on contact to Rory Laird.
Hawthorn's Ricky Henderson was fined $2000 for front-on contact to Levi Casboult, while Western Bulldogs midfielder Jack Macrae was fined $2000 for striking Luke Shuey.
Fellow Dogs midfielder Josh Dunkley was fined $1000 for making careless contact with an umpire.