MELBOURNE forward Cam Pedersen had surgery to correct his broken nose on Thursday morning.

The nose was broken when he was hit in a marking contest involving Brisbane Lion Daniel Merrett at Etihad Stadium last Sunday.

Pedersen was left bloodied after Merrett's spoiling attempt and needs further surgery at the end of the season to fix some internal damage in his nose.

Merrett's match-day striking report was thrown out after it was deemed he was making a legitimate attempt to spoil the ball and that the contact made was accidental.

Melbourne football manager Josh Mahoney confirmed Pedersen's diagnosis to AFL.com.au on Thursday afternoon.

Mahoney said the forward should be available for selection for next week's game against Greater Western Sydney.

"Cam had minor surgery on his nose this morning," he said.

"The original plan for him was to have it (the surgery) early next week. Once he wasn't selected in the team for this week, we decided to bring it forward.

"He'll also require further surgery at the end of the season."

Lions coach Justin Leppitsch said on Thursday he was surprised Merrett had escaped suspension, adding that he was expecting Merrett to cop "maybe one, maybe two" weeks suspension for the collision.

Pedersen has been left out of Melbourne's side to face Hawthorn on Saturday at the MCG, while Luke Tapscott is also expected to miss the match with a jarred knee.

Twitter: @AFL_BenGuthrie