MATCH Review Panel chairman Mark Fraser says there was a clear precedent used in the decision to take no action against North Melbourne's Lindsay Thomas for his bump on Collingwood's Ben Reid.

Fraser cited a clash of heads between Greater Western Sydney's Jeremy Cameron and Gold Coast's Charlie Dixon in round seven last season.

Dixon received a broken jaw in the collision at Manuka Oval, but Cameron was not charged, despite choosing to bump, because the clash of heads was deemed accidental.

"The rule was changed for the 2012 season after a couple of players – Chris Dawes and Matt Maguire – received penalties due to head clashes in 2011," Fraser said on AFL.com.au's The Verdict.

"Last year there was a similar bumping collision between Cameron and Dixon. Cameron got let off that because there was a clash of heads.

"We don't think this is any different.

"Accidental contact in that regard, like a head clash, we will not be charging for that."

Fraser said the MRP didn't deem that Thomas's duty of care to Reid had been breached, despite Reid being forced from the ground with concussion and blood pouring from his mouth.

He said a head clash was deemed by the panel to be a "complete accident".

"We don't think the players go into a contest thinking that a head clash is going to occur," Fraser said.

"It obviously does damage to both players, so we don't deem that as negligent on his behalf.

"He does not leave the ground when making the shepherd and there's an unfortunate clash of heads.

"The clash of heads is deemed circumstances outside the players' control.

"The only time it wouldn't be was if Thomas had have jumped into the air into the contest."

Nathan Schmook is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Nathan