James Hird backs Toby Greene to escape fine amid nervous wait over ugly tunnelling incident

James Hird has backed Toby Greene to escape time on the sideline as the GWS star waits to learn if he will be charged for a potential tunnelling incident.

Greene was involved in a nasty collision with West Coast's Matt Owies on Sunday as the latter was attempting to take a mark.

The GWS skipper came into contact with airborne Owies, who came crashing down onto the turf with heavy force.

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A short stoppage in play was required as medics assisted Owies back to his feet.

A decision on whether Greene will be charged has yet to be confirmed by the MRO, but Hird believes he should not be hit with any form of punishment.

"That is bracing for impact and they've both collided from each others' blind spots. He was reading the eyes of the kicker," Hird said on Nine's Footy Furnace.

"Last time I checked, you're still allowed contact in a game of AFL football... so he should not be fined."

Given his troubling record as the second most fined player in the competition - behind only Zak Butters - a meeting with the tribunal could result in a short stint on the sidelines.

Hird noted that previous tunnelling incidents seen in the competition this season have not compared to that of Greene's.

Bayley Fritsch was fined by the MRO for a tunnelling incident on Geelong's Tom Stewart during Melbourne's 39-point loss on Friday.

Many have since voiced concerns that a fine was not an adequate punishment for the act.

Fritsch has yet to confirm if he has accepted an offered $2500 fine, which can be reduced to $1500 on an early plea deal.

In round two Essendon's Mason Redman was also fined $1000 for a tunnelling act against Adelaide key forward Riley Thilthorpe.