Lance Franklin cleared over elbow that concussed Docker Joel Hamling

LANCE Franklin is free to play the Brisbane Lions this weekend after the AFL’s MRO cleared him over an incident that left Fremantle opponent Joel Hamling concussed. HAVE YOUR SAY

Sydney's Lance Franklin collects Fremantle's Joel Hamling. Picture. Phil Hillyard

SYDNEY superstar Lance Franklin is free to play the Brisbane Lions this weekend after the AFL’s MRO cleared him over an incident that left Fremantle opponent Joel Hamling concussed.

No players face suspension following Round 9 matches, with five players — Lion Dayne Zorko, Freo’s Darcy Tucker, Saint Jack Newnes, Blue Lochie O’Brien and GWS youngster Jacob Hopper — facing fines.

Franklin’s incident was the major talking point from the Swans’ big win over Fremantle on Saturday night.

He collected the ball when Fremantle opponents swarmed, ‘Buddy’ lifting his arms and swinging with sufficient force to split the Docker’s chin open — and leave the Docker concussed.

Franklin's actions weren't ''unreasonable in the circumstances''.. not even slightly clumsy or careless? A little bit? A smidge? Anyway, he got off and Hambling's got concussion.

— Mark Robinson (@Robbo_heraldsun) May 21, 2018

When Freo emerged from the rooms after the main break Hamling had been ruled out of the contest, having failed a concussion test.

But Michael Christian has given the action the green light, saying Franklin was trying to fend off the tackler and his actions were “not unreasonable in the circumstances”.

“That’s going to be a really tough one for the MRO to assess,” Fox Footy commentator Paiul Roos said after the incident on Saturday night.

Sydney's Lance Franklin collects Fremantle's Joel Hamling. Picture. Phil Hillyard

Mark Ricciuto labelled it a “blatant hit to the head” but agreed that with Franklin, in possession and trying to free his arms in the tackle, it would not be an easy call for the AFL’s under-fire judicial system.

Hamling left the field before motioning to return just before halftime. But he was deemed unfit to return to the ground.

Match Review completed for round 9 remaining games. Six charges laid and five incidents explained in detail.
Jacob Hopper can accept two separate sanctions of $1000 apiece for twice making careless contact with umpire Simon Meredith, 2nd term / 3rd term.

— Patrick Keane (@AFL_PKeane) May 21, 2018

Darcy Tucker can accept $1000 sanction, careless contact umpire B Wallace.
Jack Newnes can accept $2000 sanction, tripping F Appleby.
Lochie O’Brien can accept $2000 sanction, rough conduct on B Fritsch.
Dayne Zorko can accept $2000 sanction, misconduct against J Sicily.

— Patrick Keane (@AFL_PKeane) May 21, 2018

Port Adelaide's Sam Powell-Pepper, St Kilda's David Armitage, Sydney's Lance Franklin, Melbourne's Bernie Vince and Richmond's Shane Edwards all cleared from contact from their respective weekend rd9 games.
Explanations in each case attached. pic.twitter.com/ZQ9xJYcKhl

— Patrick Keane (@AFL_PKeane) May 21, 2018

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Originally published as Lance Franklin cleared over elbow that concussed Docker Joel Hamling