Carlton have been successful in overturning Harry McKay's one-week suspension at the AFL Tribunal, with the Blue free to face Adelaide in Gather Round.
McKay was handed a one-week ban from the MRO for his strike on North Melbourne's Harry Sheezel during the Good Friday clash, with the fourth quarter incident graded as careless conduct, medium impact and high contact.
The Blues chose to appeal the 25-year-old's suspension on Tuesday, arguing that McKay's action was a push, not a strike.
The AFL counsel disagreed, arguing that both McKay's action and momentum were not reasonable.
"It's the action of his arms combined with his momentum that wasn't reasonable in the circumstances," AFL barrister Andrew Woods said.
"Even if the Tribunal found the actual impact was low, it's appropriate given the guidelines that it was graded medium."
McKay will now be free to play in Carlton's Gather Round-opening clash against the Crows at Adelaide Oval.
The star forward has played all four games for the Blues this season, kicking six goals.
