Richmond captain Trent Cotchin is free to play this weekend after being fined for striking Fremantle’s Lachie Neale by the AFL Match Review Panel.

Did Cotchin deserve a week off? Have your say here.

Cotchin is one of four players fined by the MRP, the others being Bernie Vince, Isaac Smith and Eric Hipwood.

Sydney superstar Lance Franklin was also cleared of striking North’s Sam Durdin.

Meanwhile, Carlton, St Kilda, North Melbourne and Sydney have the opportunity to respond in writing to the MRP to discuss melees from the weekend’s games.

Here is the full Match Review Panel statement from AFL.com.au:

Isaac Smith, Hawthorn, has been charged with striking Nick Robertson, Brisbane Lions, during the third quarter of the Round Eight match between Hawthorn and the Brisbane Lions, played at UTas Stadium on Saturday May 13, 2017.

In summary, he can accept a $1000 sanction with an early plea.

Based on the available video evidence and a medical report from the Brisbane Lions Football Club, the incident was assessed as careless conduct with low impact to the head. The incident was classified as a $1500 sanction. The player has no applicable record which impacts the penalty. An early plea enables the player to accept a $1000 sanction.

Eric Hipwood, Brisbane Lions, has been charged with striking Isaac Smith, Hawthorn, during the third quarter of the Round Eight match between the Brisbane Lions and Hawthorn, played at UTas Stadium on Saturday May 13, 2017.

In summary, he can accept a $1000 sanction with an early plea.

Based on the available video evidence and a medical report from the Hawthorn Football Club, the incident was assessed as intentional conduct with low impact to the body. The incident was classified as a $1500 sanction. The player has no applicable record which impacts the penalty. An early plea enables the player to accept a $1000 sanction.

Bernie Vince, Melbourne, has been charged with making careless contact with umpire Craig Fleer during the second quarter of the Round Eight match between Melbourne and the Adelaide Crows, played at Adelaide Oval on Saturday May 13, 2017.

In summary, he can accept a $1000 sanction with an early plea.

A first offence for making careless contact with an umpire is a $1500 sanction. The player has no applicable record with impacts the penalty. An early plea enables the player to accept a $1000 sanction.

St Kilda v Carlton, Third Quarter Melee – The AFL will be writing to the two clubs under the AFL Player Rules for club involvement in a melee, regarding a sanction to be imposed on both clubs for the third-quarter melee. The clubs have the right to respond in writing before any final decision is made on sanction for the clubs and/or players. The clubs have seven days in which to respond.

Trent Cotchin, Richmond, has been charged with striking Lachie Neale, Fremantle, during the first quarter of the Round Eight match between Richmond and Fremantle, played at the MCG on Sunday May 14, 2017.

In summary, he can accept a $1000 sanction with an early plea.

Based on the available video evidence and a medical report from the Fremantle Football Club, the incident was assessed as careless conduct with low impact to the head. The incident was classified as a $1500 sanction. The player has no applicable record which impacts the penalty. An early plea enables the player to accept $1000 sanction.

North Melbourne v Sydney Swans, Melee  – The AFL will be writing to the two clubs under the AFL Player Rules for club involvement in a melee, regarding a sanction to be imposed on both clubs for melees across the game. The clubs have the right to respond in writing before any final decision is made on sanction for the clubs and/or players. The clubs have seven days in which to respond.

Other incidents assessed

Contact between the Geelong Cats’ Cam Guthrie and umpire Justin Schmitt from the second quarter of Saturday’s match was assessed. Geelong’s Tom Hawkins had the ball and kicked towards his team mate Guthrie. Umpire Schmitt was directly in the path of the ball and stays stationary as the ball comes towards him. Guthrie makes contact with the umpire before marking the ball. It was the view of the panel the contact was not unreasonable in the circumstances and no further action was taken.

Contact between the Sydney Swans’ Lance Franklin and North Melbourne’s Sam Durdin from the third quarter of Sunday’s match was assessed. Durdin has the ball as Franklin approaches him to tackle. Franklin has his arm extended and his hand open as Durdin disposes of the ball. The North Melbourne player ducks as Franklin comes towards him and Franklin makes contact over the right shoulder of Durdin. A free kick was paid at the time for the high contact and it was the view of the panel no further action was required as Franklin’s action was not a striking motion.