Round 4’s Match Review Panel has come to two conclusions relevant to North Melbourne.

Lance Franklin’s match-day report for striking Scott Thompson in the final term of the victory was thrown out, citing insufficient force.

Meanwhile, Collingwood’s Nick Maxwell will be free to take on the Roos this Saturday at the MCG. His bump on Richmond captain Trent Cotchin in the first quarter of Friday night’s game was assessed and also deemed to be of insufficient force.

The Match Review Panel’s findings were as follows:

Sydney – Lance Franklin

The match day report against Sydney’s Lance Franklin for striking North Melbourne’s Scott Thompson in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s match was assessed. Thompson is running out of the goal square when Franklin makes high contact with Thompson. After viewing all the available footage, speaking with the umpire who laid the report and receiving a medical report from the North Melbourne Football Club, it was the view of the panel that Franklin’s act was not a striking action and the force used by Franklin was below that required to constitute a reportable offence. No further action was taken.

Collingwood – Nick Maxwell

Contact between Collingwood’s Nick Maxwell and Richmond’s Trent Cotchin from the first quarter of Friday’s game was assessed. Collingwood’s Scott Pendlebury has possession of the ball, Cotchin is within five metres of the contest and Maxwell makes high contact with Cotchin while in the act of bumping. After viewing all the available footage and receiving a medical report from the Richmond Football Club, it was the view of the panel that the force used by Maxwell was below that required to constitute a reportable offence. No further action was taken.