Kysaiah Pickett is off the hook for his hit that floored West Coast’s Jake Waterman, with Match Review Officer Michael Christian finding the Melbourne star did not make the choice to bump his opponent.
Pickett clipped Waterman in the opening seconds of Sunday’s Marvel Stadium clash. The Eagles spearhead was first to the footy and had his head knocked back by Pickett’s right arm as the Demons speedster raced past.
Waterman took a moment to recover before getting up to take his free kick and played out the remainder of the match.
Christian on Monday ruled that Pickett had no case to answer, having made a reasonable play on the footy and attempting to “minimise impact” before the collision.
“The ball is handballed in the direction of Waterman with Pickett approaching from side on with his eyes firmly fixed on the ball,” the Match Review verdict statement read.
“As soon as Pickett realised Waterman was going to take possession of the ball he decelerates, lowers his body and drops his right arm in an attempt to minimise impact before making inevitable contact to Waterman.
“It was the view of the MRO that Pickett did not elect to bump and that his actions were not unreasonable in the circumstances.”
The ruling means Pickett is free to play for the seventh-placed Demons in Saturday’s MCG clash against fellow top-half side Hawthorn.
The 24-year-old has been a shining light in Melbourne’s surprise resurgence this season. He sits equal-15th in the AFL Coaches Association’s Champion Player of the Year award, tied with Max Gawn as the Demons’ highest vote-getter.
