Cats midfielder Mitch Duncan has escaped suspension and will be free to play in Sunday’s clash with Greater Western Sydney in Canberra.

The 24-year-old on-baller was cited for striking following a contest with Luke Hodge in the final term of Geelong’s 30-point Easter Monday win over the Hawks at the MCG

The match review panel assessed the incident and determined the contact made was between Duncan’s shoulder and Hodge’s arm and was neither high nor forceful.

The charge was withdrawn as a result.

Full summary from the match review panel:

“The match day charge laid against the Geelong Cats’ Mitch Duncan for striking Hawthorn’s Luke Hodge was assessed. The panel said that after viewing all available footage and speaking to the umpire who laid the report on the day, it was their view that contact was made between Duncan’s shoulder and Hodge’s arm. The umpire laid the report in the belief there was head high contact, but the review of the incident by the umpire and the panel found there was no forceful high contact made. No further action was taken.”