Essendon star Zach Merrett has avoided a suspension for a high hit on Nick Blakey, with the AFL match review officer deeming the action did not constitute a punishment.
Merrett raised his arm to tap a ball in dispute mid-air, as Swans defender Blakey charged towards the ball.
Merrett made contact with the ball but also collected Blakey high, which led to the Sydney dasher to be assessed on the sidelines for a HIA. Fortunately, Blakey passed his concussion test, making him available for Sydney's clash against Carlton on Friday in Round 10.
Similar play on the ball moments have resulted in suspensions this season, with North Melbourne's Jackson Archer and Hawthorn's Jack Scrimshaw and Conor Nash all suspended for three or four weeks respectively for either errant arm swings at the ball or attempts to win a ball in dispute.
Critically, Merrett made contact with the football in his case, which the MRO stated meant Merrett made a "genuine attempt" to play at the football, leading to his escape from a penalty.
"The incident involving Essendon's Zach Merrett and Sydney's Nick Blakey from the Fourth Quarter of Saturday's match was assessed by the Match Review Officer. Merrett and Blakey approach the ball from opposite directions and with his eyes on the ball, Merrett attempts to tap the ball over Blakey's head and after making contact with the ball, Merrett makes high contact with Blakey," the MRO statement reads.
"It was the view of the MRO that Merrett made a genuine attempt at the ball and that his actions did not constitute a breach of the duty of care he owed to Blakey. No further action was taken."
The MRO also provided a detailed explanation of a kicking act from Adelaide's Mark Keane on Port Adelaide's Jeremy Finlayson, which was reviewed but not charged.
"The match day report laid against Adelaide's Mark Keane for Kicking against Port Adelaide's Jeremy Finlayson from the Third Quarter of Saturday night's match was assessed by the Match Review Officer," the statement read.
"It was the view of the MRO that Keane's actions did not constitute a reportable offence. No further action was taken."
The only charge from the weekend was for Essendon's Will Setterfield, charged with tripping Isaac Heeney in the third quarter of Saturday's action.
The MRO graded the action as intentional conduct, low impact and body contact. Setterfield can accept a $3,000 fine, reduced to $2,000 with an early plea.
