Fremantle defender Alex Pearce has seen his three-game suspension for rough conduct cleared at the AFL Tribunal.
Pearce fronted the Tribunal on Tuesday after the Dockers decided to challenge the Match Review Officer's sanction, which graded the Fremantle captain's actions as careless conduct, severe impact and high contact on Port Adelaide's Darcy Byrne-Jones in a marking contest.
Byrne-Jones was concussed as a result of the collision and has since entered the AFL's concussion protocols.
Alex Pearce has been handed a three-match suspension for this incident involving Darcy Byrne-Jones.
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Pearce pleaded not guilty to the charge, believing he did not act carelessly in contesting for the ball and that his actions were reasonable in the circumstances.
The Dockers veteran, who gave evidence, said he attempted to take a chest mark and looked to remain in line with his trajectory toward the ball, only to realise Byrne-Jones was in the vicinity of the contest late.
The AFL argued against the Dockers' stance, stating that he did not act reasonably and that he could have decreased his momentum and/or chosen not to lift off the ground - actions the AFL sees as reasonable in the circumstances.
The Tribunal found that Pearce was not guilty of rough conduct, making him available for Fremantle's upcoming matches against Gold Coast, North Melbourne and Essendon.
