The Match Review Officer has chosen not to deliver a sanction to Geelong forward Brad Close after a potentially-dangerous tackle on Friday night was assessed.
In the first quarter of action between Geelong and Sydney at the SCG on Friday, Close appeared to pin Swan Aaron Francis' arm and take him to the ground, with Francis' head making considerable contact with the turf.
While Francis played out the game, the incident quickly became a topic of contention.
The fact that Close was suspended for a strikingly similar incident in May led many to believe that a similar fate was headed the Cat's way.
However, in positive news for Close and the Cats, Geelong's goalsneak escaped sanction, meaning he is available for selection for the club's Round 17 bout with North Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium.
On Saturday evening, the MRO revealed an explanation for its reasoning.
"The incident involving the Geelong Cats' Bradley Close and the Sydney Swan' Aaron Francis from the first quarter of Friday's match between the Sydney Swans and the Geelong Cats was assessed," the MRO's statement read.
"Francis gains possession of the ball with momentum in the Sydney Swans' back pocket and is tackled by Close. It was the view of the MRO that despite having Francis in a vulnerable position, Close attempted to slow momentum in taking him to ground and that in the circumstances he was not careless in tackling in that manner. No further action was taken."
No other incidents from Friday's draw were assessed.
