Rocca free to take on Tigers
Anthony Rocca has been cleared of engaging in rough conduct against West Coast’s Jaymie Graham, and is free to take on Richmond this Friday night.
During the second quarter at Subiaco on Saturday night, Rocca moved two to three metres to meet Graham and bumped him after the West Coast defender ran out of his team’s backline after disposing of the ball.
It was the view of the AFL’s Match Review Panel that the majority of the contact was to Graham's left chest / shoulder region, with some minor contact to the left side of Graham's neck / jaw region.
The degree of the force for the bump in the circumstances was not excessive.
Rocca also moved only a short distance to Graham, who was in a position to protect himself. Rocca kept his elbow tucked in at all times and did not jump off the ground to make the bump.
As such, no further action was required.
It is a great boost for the Magpies, after Rocca starred with four goals as the Magpies fell by just 12 points to the reigning premiers.
The round three clash with Richmond at the MCG is Collingwood’s first home game of the season.