Key West Coast defender Adam Hunter flew under the AFL tribunal radar, escaping penalty by having his striking charge downgraded.

Hunter, 23, will now play in Saturday's big match at home against St Kilda.

This case is likely to have ramifications for the new tribunal system, with clubs conceding guilt but challenging the seriousness of a charge.

The Eagles conceded Hunter hit Hawthorn forward Mark Williams last Sunday during the game in Launceston, but his advocate David Grace, QC, successfully argued the charge should be reduced from intentional to reckless.

Under the AFL's points system, that meant it was a level-one offence, rather than level two.

That still left Hunter facing a one-match ban, but he received a 25 per cent reduction from the original 125-point base because of good behaviour.

By not arguing about guilt but focussing on the seriousness of the charge, the Eagles gained another 25 per cent reduction for an early plea.

That took the total points to 70.31, meaning Hunter was only reprimanded because the total was under 100.

If the total was more than 100, he faced a one-match ban.

Had the three-man jury found that the act was intentional, Hunter would have been suspended for one match.

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