WARRNAMBOOL spearhead Jason Rowan maintained an unblemished record and will play on Saturday after being cleared by the Hampden league’s tribunal.
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Rowan, who had never been reported in his 189-game career, was on Wednesday night found not guilty of attempting to strike Koroit’s Will Couch.
The relieved Blues skipper was “rapt” with the decision and looked forward to playing against Camperdown.
“It’s just a good feeling to know that I’ll be right to run out with the boys,” he said.
“It’s just good to have that clean record.”
Rowan was booked by field umpire Lachlan Serle in the final term of Saturday’s grand final re-match against the reigning premier.
Serle, who was 20 to 25 metres away from the incident, said he believed Rowan intended to hit Couch with a closed-fist right-arm round-house, but the latter swung his head back to avoid contact.
Couch, who gave evidence via phone, said he had instigated contact between the players but was not sure if Rowan had attempted to punch or shove him.
“I pushed him away and probably took a swing myself,” he said.
“(Jason) came back and I got out of the way of it.”
Rowan argued he had swung his left arm around with an open hand in an attempt to push Couch off.
Independent tribunal chairman Brian Mathers said the panel gave Rowan “the benefit of the doubt”.
He said it was difficult for the panel to determine exactly what had transpired.
