Hayes cleared by MRP

St Kilda has received a much-needed boost ahead of Saturday's semi-final clash against Collingwood at the MCG with the striking charge laid against star midfielder Lenny Hayes thrown out by the match review panel on Monday.

Hayes, renowned as one of the AFL's fairest players, was booked for striking Geelong's Joel Selwood during the Saints ten goal loss to the Cats in Sunday's qualifying final.

The report was laid by the emergency umpire Scott Jeffery during the third term.

But in clearing Hayes - the Saints' 2003 best and fairest winner - the panel ruled that Hayes only threw his left arm at Selwood to grab hold of the Cats' youngster, rather than to strike him, while falling to the ground as Hayes attempted to stay on his feet.

The decision is a major relief for the Saints, who could ill-afford to lose Hayes - particularly with another of their star midfielders in Luke Ball not certain to return from the hamstring injury that has sidelined him since round 18.

St Kilda goalsneak Stephen Milne was also under scrutiny for a third quarter clash involving Geelong's Steve Johnson but was given the all-clear as no charges were laid by the match review panel from the week one finals action.

But several other incidents were also looked at with Bulldogs' defender Ryan Hargrave and Hawthorn defender Brent Guerra reviewed but given the all-clear over contact made to Hawthorn's Michael Osborne and Bulldog Shaun Higgins during Friday night's qualifying final at the MCG.

And Adelaide full-back Ben Rutten was cleared of any wrongdoing over a second quarter collision with Collingwood youngster John McCarthy during the second quarter of Saturday's elimination final at AAMI Stadium.