ST KILDA midfielder Jack Steele has escaped suspension for his tummy tap on Melbourne star Clayton Oliver, slapped with a $1500 fine by match review officer Michael Christian.

Oliver fell to the turf after being struck by Steele just seconds before a centre bounce, taking several seconds to gather his breath before re-joining the play.

However, Steele got away without a ban, with the Saints youngster charged with misconduct and subsequently only hit with a fine.

North Melbourne ruckman Todd Goldstein escaped penalties for a pair of incidents, including one where he bumped Essendon midfielder Zach Merrett late and another where he caught defender Mark Baguley in the head on the stroke of half-time. Neither incident was cited by Christian.

Hawthorn captain Jarryd Roughead also escaped punishment for a dangerous tackle on Greater Western Sydney youngster Jacob Hopper, which took place over the boundary line.

WATCH Roughy pinged for dangerous tackle

Just six players earned fines over the weekend, with no suspensions in either the Saturday or the Sunday games.

Adelaide captain Taylor Walker was hit with a $1500 fine for striking West Coast midfielder Luke Shuey, while Gold Coast ruckman Brayden Crossley was fined $2000 for rough contact.

Port Adelaide duo Chad Wingard and Sam Powell-Pepper were fined $1000 each for careless contact with an umpire, as was West Coast midfielder Jack Redden.

Richmond defender Nick Vlastuin had already accepted a one-match ban for striking Luke Parker on Thursday night, while Sydney star Lance Franklin escaped a suspension for catching Alex Rance in the throat.

Jacob Townsend's bid to return to the Tigers' side has hit a hurdle, with the forward able to accept a one-match sanction for a striking charge in the VFL.

The VFL's Match Review Panel charged Townsend for striking Box Hill's Andrew Moore – a former Tigers teammate – in Saturday's match at Punt Road Oval.

The incident was classified as a two-match sanction but Townsend can accept a one-game ban with an early plea.