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Cunnington, Ryan fined for AFL punches

North Melbourne midfielder Ben Cunnington and West Coast forward Liam Ryan have escaped AFL suspensions for their round-one incidents.

Bryce Gibbs
Adelaide veteran Bryce Gibbs (R) is among eight players fined after round one of the new AFL season. (AAP)

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Source: AAP


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North Melbourne midfielder Ben Cunnington has escaped an AFL ban for winding Fremantle opponent Nathan Wilson with his off-the-ball gut punch.

West Coast forward Liam Ryan and Brisbane opponent Darcy Gardiner have been fined for their confrontation.

Ryan was booked immediately after the incident in Saturday night's match and that led to the AFL's latest online abuse issue.

Gardiner can accept a $1000 misconduct fine for provoking Ryan, prodding him with a knee while the Eagle had been on the ground.

Ryan retaliated immediately with a jumper punch and that will cost him $1500 with an early plea.

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While no players face suspension after round one, eight have been fined.

Cunnington's gut punch was graded as low impact, thanks to a favourable Dockers medical report and Wilson staying on the field.

The Kangaroos' hard nut will be $2000 out of pocket for the incident.

New Port Adelaide co-captain Tom Jonas can accept a $2000 fine for rough conduct against Melbourne ruckman Max Gawn.

Adelaide veteran Bryce Gibbs and former Hawthorn captain Jarryd Roughead are $1000 out of pocket apiece for umpire contact.

Adelaide onballer Matt Crouch has been fined $1000 for rough conduct against Roughead and GWS key forward Jeremy Cameron also faces a $2000 penalty for rough conduct involving Essendon's Zach Merrett.

St Kilda forward Jade Gresham was cleared of a match-day report for his bump on Gold Coast player Wil Powell.


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