Patrick Dangerfield avoids AFL suspension for McCluggage tackle

Geelong captain Patrick Dangerfield has escaped suspension for his tackle on Brisbane’s Hugh McCluggage in Saturday night’s AFL preliminary final.

Had the Cats won, the issue would have been a major talking point ahead of next Saturday’s grand final against Sydney.

Dangerfield was charged with rough conduct for the third-quarter incident, but it was graded as low impact and that meant no suspension.

The Cats skipper pinned McCluggage’s left arm and slammed him into the ground on that side of his body.

It meant McCluggage had no chance to protect himself, with his free right arm on the wrong side of the body to cushion his fall as his head bounced off the ground.

The Lion quickly took his free kick and did not come off the ground for a head injury assessment.

Dangerfield was also fined for striking Josh Dunkley in the second term.

Brisbane forward Eric Hipwood was charged with rough conduct against Jack Henry in the first term, but is free to play in the grand final after being fined.