Maynard cleared of tackle, Schultz given one-game ban

Owies was paid a free for the third-quarter incident at the MCG and kicked a goal, with players scuffling immediately after.

The Magpies went on to win the match by six points.

Amid the league's crackdown on dangerous tackles this season, Saturday's match review explained why Maynard was cleared.

"Maynard applied the tackle from behind on Owies who both leans forward in the tackle and raises his right arm, leading to Maynard falling with and on top of Owies," the AFL said.

"It was the view of the MRO (match review officer) that Maynard did not sling, drive or rotate Owies into the ground with excessive force, and accordingly the MRO did not consider that Maynard's actions were unreasonable in the circumstances.

"No further action was taken."

Maynard's controversial tribunal case in the finals series last year, when he was cleared of his spoil that concussed Melbourne onballer Angus Brayshaw, forced an AFL overhaul of the rough conduct rules.

Maynard's teammate Lachie Schultz faces a one-game ban for striking Blake Acres.

Schultz also gave away a free kick and the Blues were able to clear out of defence in the frenetic last term when he ran up to Acres after a push-and-shove and hit him from the behind, with an umpire looking at them only a few metres away.

Australian Associated Press