AFL fans, specifically Essendon fans, may have been left perplexed by the Match Review Officer's findings from Saturday's action.

While the MRO handed down a total of five charges on Sunday night, four of which were from the GWS vs Essendon match, one somewhat obvious charge seemingly went unnoticed.

A total of $9000 (prior to early pleas) were spread across sanctions to Jake Stringer, Daniel Lloyd (twice) and Mason Redman, none of which warranted suspensions from the MRO.

But an incident that should have seen one player rubbed out occurred in the opening quarter of the affair and failed to attract the scrutiny of the MRO.

Halfway through the first stanza at GIANTS Stadium, GWS ruckman Braydon Preuss is seen collecting Zach Merrett seconds after the Essendon midfielder disposed of the ball.

Vision (caught below by @CharlieDons on Twitter) sees Preuss elect to bump Merrett in the middle of the ground, with footage showing the former Kangaroos and Demons tall changing his direction seconds after Merrett had disposed of the ball.

RELATED: MRO GRADINGS SYSTEM

While Merrett was able to play out the match, the MRO's grading for offences could have likely seen Preuss hit with a one-game ban at the very least.

A view of high contact, medium impact and intentional conduct would result in two matches, while a grading of careless conduct or body contact would see the suspension sit at one match.

Preuss has already been suspended on three occasions this season following two rough conduct charges and a striking charge on David Mundy in Round 4.

The 27-year-old avoided suspension last week for a bump on Swan James Rowbottom, with Preuss accepting a $2000 fine.

Suspension, injury and form have seen Preuss limited to just 10 matches this year, making his club debut in Round 3 after missing the entirety of last season due to injury.

The Giants are scheduled to face the Bulldogs and Dockers in their final two fixtures of the season, with the New South Wales side unlikely to break out of the bottom five.