AFL 2024: All the MRO breaking news, analysis from Opening Round

It was a strong tackle that is expected to rule Callan Ward out for months with a shoulder injury but Collingwood hard nut Beau McCreery had no case to answer.

Giants Callan Ward is injured in this tackle by Collingwood's Beau McCreery during the AFL Opening Round match between the GWS Giants and Collingwood Magpies at Engie Stadium, Sydney on March 9, 2024. Photo by Phil Hillyard (Image Supplied for Editorial Use only - Phil Hillyard **NO ON SALES** - ©Phil Hillyard )

Collingwood wrecking ball Beau McCreery has escaped suspension for the tackle which will sideline GWS Giant Callan Ward for months.

The AFL on Sunday confirmed there was no charge for the tackle as there was minimal head contact for Ward and no excessive force applied from McCreery.

And Richmond forward Noah Balta received a $2,500 fine for a rough conduct charge on Gold Coast’s Alex Sexton, which was graded careless conduct, low impact and high contact.

Ward faces months out of the game to repair his injured right shoulder after he ploughed shoulder-first into the ground in the second term of the Giants’ 32-point win.

The Beau McCreery tackle that injured Callan Ward. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Callan Ward came from the field in the second quarter with what appears to be a shoulder injury.

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The AFL has clamped down on head high contact in recent seasons but in that incident it is Ward who contributes to his fall by surging and leaning forward in the tackle.

McCreery did not appear to deliberately tip or tilt Ward, meaning the incident fell in line with the AFL’s desire to maintain fair tackling and contact in the game.

The AFL is adamant it can help straddle the fine line between maintaining the fabric of the game and protecting players amid the concussion crisis facing the league.

Last week Saint Jimmy Webster was hit with a seven-match suspension for his brutal high bump on Roos’ star midfielder Jy Simpkin.

George Hewett (left) and Lachie Neale have avoided suspension. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

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George Hewett is free to play in Carlton’s round 1 clash with Richmond at the MCG on Thursday night.

The Blues had been sweating on a match review assessment of Hewett’s off-the-ball strike on Brisbane’s Lachie Neale in the Blues’ win, concerned that a strengthening of the rules around strikes could have resulted in a suspension.

But Hewett’s incident was graded as careless conduct, low impact and high contract, resulting in a $2500 fine with an early plea.

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Neale was also fined $2500 for his strike on Hewett in the same incident, with his hit being judged as intentional contact, low impact and body contact.

The Brownlow medallist is free to make the trip to Perth to take on Fremantle on Sunday week.

The MRO guidelines around the grading of striking offences have been strengthened in 2024 to “increase the onus on players not to commit a strike even when seeking to fend and push their opponents.”

Originally published as AFL 2024: All the MRO breaking news, analysis from Opening Round