Kangaroos defender Charlie Comben has escaped suspension for a tackle laid against star Demons recruit Brody Mihocek on Friday.
It has emerged that Mihocek was not concussed in the tackle that had been scrutinised in recent days.
Mihocek left the ground soon after the tackle, but was instead suffering after an earlier unrelated knock.
With no concussion linked to the tackle, all the sting went out of a potential charge and Comben will be free to start the season for the Kangaroos.
The MRO also found Comben did not use excessive force in the tackle and released Mihocek's arm.
Charlie Comben could be in hot water for this dangerous tackle that concussed Brody Mihocek.
READ MORE 👉 https://t.co/NhE2DBMwvq pic.twitter.com/4er2AEB4Fo
— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) February 20, 2026
Although Comben was cleared, it was a close shave.
A similar tackle laid by Mabior Chol on Geelong defender Tom Stewart in last year's preliminary final initially saw the Hawks forward handed a three-game suspension, with the MRO grading the incident as having careless conduct, high contact and severe impact. However, it was ultimately overturned at the Tribunal.
The concussion from the game rules Mihocek out of Melbourne's official pre-season match with Richmond next week, and places him in some doubt to return for the Demons' Round 1 clash against St Kilda.
The former Magpie had impressed in his new colours in the first quarter, slotting two goals prior to the head knock.
Comben had another good year in defence for North Melbourne in 2025, being one of the league's leading interceptors (3.0 intercept marks per game) and was a leading spoiler for the Roos (5.4 per game), highlighting his improving aerial capabilities.
