Steve Johnson. Photo – www.flickr.com/photos/jamesdphotography

Adelaide’s midfield superstar Scott Thompson remains in contention for the AFL’s most prestigious award, the Brownlow Medal, after his high bump on Geelong’s Steve Johnson was cleared of being malicious.

Geelong were forced to sub Johnson out of the match after he was bumped by Thompson in the first few seconds of the Cats’ 27 point win over the Crows at Simonds Stadium on Saturday Afternoon. It was revealed that Johnson had concussion.

The MRP ruled that Thompson had recieved a push from Johnson’s Geelong teammate Joel Corey into the path of Johnson and that the Adelaide player could not be held responsible for the incident.

Earlier in the day, teammate of Thomspon, Jason Porplyzia, argued that the incident was part of the ways of contact sport.

“It just looked like a contest you would see every week,” said Porplyzia. “(It was) just unfortunate where the hit took place that Steve Johnson went down, it was just a football contest in my opinion.”

In total there were eight charges laid by the MRP.

Adelaide skipper Nathan van Berlo has been charged for a first offence for negligent contact with umpire Luke Farmer during the first quarter of Saturday’s match in Geelong. He can accept a $900 sanction with an early plea.

Melbourne’s Neville Jetta has been charged with a level two making forceful contact from front-on or bumping charge on Kangaroo Lindsay Thomas during the fast quarter of Saturday’s match at Etihad Stadium. He can accept a one-match ban with an early plea.

North Melbourne’s Lindsay Thomas has been charged with a level three engaging in rough conduct charge against Melbourne’s Daniel Nicholson during the third quarter also on Saturday’s match at Etihad Stadium. Due to a previous poor record, Thomas can accept a two-match suspension with an early plea.

Western Bulldogs defender Brian Lake can accept a $900 sanction with an early plea for a first offence for wresting with St Kilda goalsneak Stephen Milne during the second quarter of Saturday Night’s match at Etihad Stadium.

Another Bulldog Lindsay Gilbee has been charged with a level two striking offence against Saint Sam Fisher also during the third quarter of Saturday Night’s match at Etihad. He can accept a reprimand and 70.31 demerit points to his record with an early plea due to his five-year good record.

West Coast captain Darren Glass has been charged with a level three engaging in rough conduct offence against Lion Jonathan Brown during the final quarter of Sunday’s match at Patersons Stadium and he can accept a one-match sanction with an early plea due to a five-year good record.

Simon Black and Scott Selwood have been charged with a first and second offence respectively for wrestling after they engaged against each other on Sunday. They can accept $900 and $1800 fines respectively with an early plea.

Contact between Jarryd Roughead and Brent Stanton; Jack Trengove and Jamie Macmillan; Andrew Carrazzo and umpire Dean Margetts; Trent McKenzie and umpire Craig Fleer; Karmichael Hunt and Ben McGlynn; Matthew Pavlich and Danyle Pearce; Beau Wilkes and Daniel Cross; Stephen Milne and Bob Murphy; Stephen Milne and Brian Lake; Stephen Milne and Liam Picken and contact between Leigh Montagna and Daniel Pearce were all looked at but dismissed.