THE Tribunal's decision to fine Steven May for making contact with an umpire earlier in the season has changed the way such incidents are being interpreted, Match Review Officer Michael Christian says.

Christian fined Dustin Martin $1500 for making contact with umpire Jacob Mollison over the weekend, despite the Richmond superstar appearing to push the official as he demonstrated an incident that had just occurred.

Unlike previous incidents involving Tom Hawkins, Steven May and the Curnow brothers, Martin was not referred directly to the Tribunal and was instead fined by Christian.

That comes after Christian said the Tribunal's decision to not suspend May was "no doubt taken into account" when making his decision regarding Martin.

ARE THE CROWS BROKEN? Six things we learned from round 13

Christian also said a conversation with Mollison, where the umpire described his chat with Martin as "amicable", was factored into his decision not to suspend the reigning Brownlow Medal winner.

"(The guidelines on making contact with an umpire) aren't specific," Christian said on Monday.

"Taking into account recent Tribunal decisions, particularly the incident involving Steven May in round eight, it was decided to charge Dustin under the careless conduct provisions.

"Because those guidelines around intentional umpire contact are not specific, at match review level we've decided to interpret those guidelines … as being when a player disrespectfully, aggressively, dismissively or forcefully intentionally touches an umpire."

Martin had previously been fined $1000 in round six for making careless contact with umpire Curtis Deboy during Richmond's clash with Collingwood.

Richmond defender Nick Vlastuin is also free to play next week, not cited for an incident involving Joel Selwood during Sunday's clash at the MCG.

Vlastuin was attempting to spoil when he struck Selwood late, giving up a 50m penalty that brought the Geelong captain within range of goal. Selwood got up to take his kick, converting the set shot.

Earlier, Sydney forward Lance Franklin escaped a fine for diving, while Port Adelaide star Robbie Gray accepted a fine for making careless contact with an umpire.

In another incident reviewed, contact between Fremantle's Aaron Sandilands and Carlton's Patrick Cripps from the first quarter of Saturday's match was deemed below the force required for a charge to be laid.

The ball was bounced in the Carlton forward line and Sandilands placed a block on Cripps, to shepherd for his team mate.