LACHIE Neale is free to play in Saturday's Grand Final after his one-match ban for striking was sensationally overturned at the AFL Appeal Board on Thursday night.

Neale buried his head in his hands for several moments when the verdict was read out and said "thank you, Mr Chairman" as the meeting ended.

He will instead be fined $10,000 for his actions.

>> READ THE FULL REASONS BELOW

The Appeal Board cited Neale's "exemplary" record of having never previously been suspended in 320 games in the reason for its decision, freeing Neale to play on Saturday under the provision of "exceptional and compelling circumstances".

"We find that Neale's record is exemplary, and that he should be afforded the benefit of the provision," Appeal Board Chair Richard Loveridge said.

The dual Brownlow Medal winner will feature in the premiership decider against Fremantle - his former club - at the MCG on Saturday after having a striking charge on Hawthorn's Jack Ginnivan downgraded.

He initially failed in challenging the one-game ban from the Match Review Officer at the tribunal on Tuesday night.

Neale avoids becoming the first player to miss an AFL Grand Final following a preliminary final suspension since Collingwood’s Anthony Rocca in 2003.

More to come ...

Appeal Board's reasoning

In regard to whether 'exceptional and compelling circumstances' provision can apply to Neale's benefit.

We find that the Tribunal did err in having regard to whether the conduct was intentional.

We accept the position of Neale in his written submissions that the intentional aspect was an element of the charge which had already been established.

The relevant inquiry was whether, despite the charge having been established, there was exceptional and compelling circumstances.

In this case, that was Neale's record.

We find that Neale's record is exemplary, and that he should be afforded the benefit of the provision.

In conclusion, we allow the appeal.

We order that Neale instead be fined $10,000.