After deliberating for 90 minutes, the Ovens and Murray's independent tribunal described McDonald's actions as having happened under "circumstances outside of the player's control.”

An apologetic McDonald told the tribunal he was shattered by the incident.

The incident occurred midway through the first quarter of Saturday's clash at Birallee Park. 

Much of the hearing focused on two points; whether or not McDonald had “a reasonable other way of contesting the football,” or whether the contact was out of McDonald's control.

Nic Conway acted as counsel for McDonald, arguing that the Raiders midfielder had no time to react to Stevens entering the contest.

“A collision was unavoidable,” Conway said.

“There's no way Matt could have seen a player coming from that direction, he didn't have a realistic amount of time to think about any other course of action.”

The tribunal heard that there had been just 0.8 seconds between Stevens initially entering the contest and subsequently making contact with McDonald.

Conway said that McDonald tucking his arm in and turning to the side was a "reflex action” and not a bump, an argument the tribunal agreed with.

McDonald said that with Stevens’ head so low, he was left with no alternative other than to brace for contact with the Panthers veteran.

“I was in a compromising position, it's hard to approach a contest with someone so low to the ground,” McDonald said.

“What are you meant to do in that situation?

“I didn't know who was coming, I simply moved to protect myself from the blow.”

Wodonga forward Bryce Garvey earlier accepted a reprimand from the tribunal, after being charged with striking Albury's Luke Packer during their August 1 clash.