Richmond midfielder Daniel Jackson was handed a mixed result at the AFL tribunal on Tuesday, as he was found guilty of striking but avoided suspension.

The tribunal jury found Jackson guilty of striking Melbourne skipper James McDonald at the MCG on Sunday, but downgraded his conduct from reckless to negligent, which meant the Tiger escaped suspension.

Jackson risked a one-game ban had he been found guilty of striking with reckless conduct.

Instead he had 80 demerit points put on his record, which is under the threshold for a one-game suspension, and means he can play Fremantle at Subiaco Oval on Sunday night.

The result means Richmond will have their best negating onballer as they chase a breakthrough win after four heavy losses, although it was Jackson's intention to retain his clean record by challenging the match review panel's finding.

"It would have been good to walk away with nothing but in the end it shows the judge of my character, that I had no intent of causing any harm and what happened was just negligible and that was it," Jackson said after the hearing.

"I knew 100 per cent what my actions were and intentions were so we were pretty confident that was going to be the result."

Jackson was reported for getting McDonald high with the crook of his left arm, but argued he was only trying to tackle the Demons skipper and his arm came up when the pair made contact.

McDonald was not injured in the clash, but received a free kick.

Jackson told the jury he knew he risked being suspended when he could have accepted a reprimand to defend his principles.

"It was 100 per cent not my intention to do anything wrong or to cause harm," he said.

"That's not the way I play, I always intend to play the game and try to beat my man, and this was just a consequence of my normal actions in a game."

The verdict meant Jackson shaved 13.75 demerit points off what he would have had on his record had he pleaded guilty.

Jackson was the only player to challenge at the tribunal as the other players charged from round four all pleaded guilty.

Geelong forward Steve Johnson accepted a reprimand for tripping Port Adelaide's Robbie Gray at Skilled Stadium on Sunday and is free to play Carlton on Monday at the MCG.

St Kilda midfielder Leigh Montagna accepted a reprimand for tripping Fremantle's Des Headland at Etihad Stadium on Sunday night and can play Port on Saturday night at AAMI Stadium.

Blues ruckman Matthew Kreuzer was fined $900 for making negligent contact with an umpire in last Saturday's win over Adelaide at AAMI Stadium.

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