The Match Review Panel findings were as follows:
"Contact between North Melbourne’s Drew Petrie and Hawthorn’s Rick Ladson from the second quarter of Sunday’s match was assessed. Player Petrie has contested a ruck situation and then follows up the loose ball as it goes to ground. Player Ladson is also advancing on the loose ball, in the opposite direction to Petrie, and contact is made between the pair. It was the view of the panel that Petrie’s actions were a realistic attempt to contest the ball and no further action was taken."
The Hawks' Lance Franklin was also cleared of striking Scott Thompson during the first quarter.
