HAWTHORN ruck Lloyd Meek has escaped suspension for his big hit on Patrick Lipinski in the Hawks' loss to Collingwood on Friday night.

Meek arrived late and crashed into Lipinski, who was about to mark, during the third quarter of Hawthorn's 51-point loss at the MCG.

Lipinski kicked a major from the goalsquare but was then substituted due to concussion.

The Match Review Officer said Meek "made a genuine attempt to spoil the ball, that his actions were not unreasonable in the circumstances and that he took reasonable care to avoid making forceful high contact to Lipinski in the marking contest".

The MRO added: "It could not have been reasonably foreseen that Lipinski’s head would make forceful contact with the ground as a result of Meek’s conduct."

It's welcome news for the Hawks, who slipped to 7-5 after their third straight loss, with Meek available for Thursday night's big clash against the Western Bulldogs.

Hawks forward Mabior Chol was fined for an obscene gesture during the loss to the Pies.

Incident explained:

The incident involving Hawthorn’s Lloyd Meek and Collingwood's Patrick Lipinski from the Third Quarter of Friday night’s match was assessed by the Match Review Officer. Lipinski was the target of a kick inside forward 50 with Meek approaching from behind to contest the mark. With his eyes on the ball, Meek attempts to spoil with a straight arm that does not deviate from the line of the ball, and in doing so makes primarily body contact with Lipinski in the marking contest. It was the view of the MRO that Meek made a genuine attempt to spoil the ball, that his actions were not unreasonable in the circumstances and that he took reasonable care to avoid making forceful high contact to Lipinski in the marking contest. Furthermore, it could not have been reasonably foreseen that Lipinski’s head would make forceful contact with the ground as a result of Meek’s conduct. No further action was taken.