The tribunal was shown footage of Vail making contact to the side of Wade’s head with his body when both players were bent over contesting the ball last weekend.

“Zane had no intention to initiate contact, no intention to bump,” Brown told the tribunal, chaired by Phil Swindells.

“Both players made a determination to go and get the ball. (Wade) got there first, Zane was already committed to getting the ball.

“If you watch the video, Zane’s eyes were on the ball and at that point there was no way of avoiding contact. He went in sideways, to help avoid serious contact.

“We don’t accept that he had any intent, we don’t accept that he was reckless.

“I defy anyone to say he could have done anything else in that situation.”

Wade played out the match but left the field for about 15 minutes to be assessed following the second-quarter collision at St Mary’s Oval.

He rated the contact a “six to seven” out of 10.

Vail, who was suspended back in 2011 for two matches for front-on contact, was yellow-carded for the bump by reporting umpire David Maddock.

“I’m very happy to be able to play against Lara, I would have been disappointed if I got weeks,” Vail said post hearing.

“At the time, during the game, I was really disappointed with the call, being yellow-carded and reported.”