'Made a genuine attempt at the ball': Essendon skipper Zach Merrett avoids MRO sanction after high shot on Swan

Essendon captain Zach Merrett has received no sanction from the AFL's match review officer for the high contact he made against Sydney defender Nick Blakey on Saturday night.

The Bombers were left sweating on the availability of Merrett after he collected Blakey high during the fourth quarter of the Marvel Stadium match, won by Essendon 11.5 (71) to 8.15 (63).

With Essendon leading Sydney by 15 points with seven minutes remaining in the game, Merrett went to tap the ball in a one-on-one contest against Blakey but clipped him in the head.

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Blakey lay motionless on the turf for a couple of seconds before leaving the field for a head injury assessment.

He passed the test and will therefore be fit to face Carlton at the SCG on Friday night.

Merrett gave away a free kick but the AFL revealed in a statement on Sunday evening that the Bombers midfielder had avoided both a suspension and fine.

The star midfielder will be available to face the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night and he remains eligible to win his maiden Brownlow Medal.

The league gave a detailed explanation as to why the MRO had decided against sanctioning him.

"Merrett and Blakey approach the ball from opposite directions and with his eyes on the ball, Merrett attempts to tap the ball over Blakey's head, and after making contact with the ball, Merrett makes high contact with Blakey," the statement said.

"It was the view of the MRO that Merrett made a genuine attempt at the ball and that his actions did not constitute a breach of the duty of care he owed to Blakey.

"No further action was taken."

Merrett had been defended by Sydney coach Dean Cox in his press conference.

"Both people just going at the ball, timing," Cox said.

"That's probably all I can say from ... watching it live. I didn't have time to look at it after that."

Essendon coach Brad Scott was pressed on the incident but said he hadn't had a proper look at it.

Richmond champion Jack Riewoldt defended Merrett on the Fox Footy broadcast.

"That's a footy play," said the Tigers great.

"What do they call it, the MRO? The normal player or the reasonable player or the perfect player?

"I think he's tried to tap the ball, and you could see clearly that his eyes are looking at the football, and it's just an unfortunate accident."