Collingwood veteran Scott Pendlebury has escaped suspension for his uncharacteristic off-the-ball whack on Brisbane Lions star Lachie Neale.
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Neale was left doubled over in pain in Thursday night's 20-point loss to the Magpies after receiving an open-handed but powerful slap to the mid-riff from Pendlebury.
The striking offence was graded as intentional conduct, low impact and body contact, drawing a $3750 fine.
That sanction will be reduced to $2500 if Pendlebury pleads guilty.
Speaking after the win over Brisbane, Pendlebury was sorry for his actions.
"The retaliator always gets caught, my mum taught me that. I got sucked in tonight," he said.
The fine means Pendlebury is yet to be suspended in his 387-game AFL career, and frees him to play in next week's Gather Round clash with Hawthorn.
Collingwood's win on Thursday improved their record to 1-3.
Australian Associated Press
