Hawthorn midfielder Sam Mitchell will no doubt be a big focus of the Kangaroos’ preparations this week after he was cleared of a striking charge on Monday.

The former Hawks captain collected Alex Rance with a swing of his left arm against the Tigers, but the Match Review Panel ruled in his favour, despite chairman Mark Fraser saying he’d acted ‘recklessly’.

"With close examination of the video, Mitchell made most of the contact with his (Rance’s) chest and upper arm," Fraser told AFL.com.au.

"We didn't believe there was enough force with that upper arm to warrant a charge of a strike."

Mitchell polled three Brownlow votes when the teams met in round 21 last year, and has averaged more than 25 possessions a game against throughout his career against North.