The AFL has decided not to appeal after West Coast livewire Willie Rioli successfully challenged his one-match suspension at the tribunal, despite flooring Gold Coast jet Matt Rowell in a sickening collision.

The tribunal deemed the forward had not engaged in rough conduct and that his action was “not unreasonable”, determining it as careless conduct, medium impact and high contact.

West Coast argued it was a “legitimate marking attempt” and that Rioli, who was making an AFL comeback after serving a two-year ban for doping, had not overstepped his duty of care to Rowell nor made high contact.

The jury, consisting of David Neitz, Shane Wakelin and tribunal chair Jeff Gleeson QC, believed Rioli had always intended to contest the footy, as opposed to bumping Rowell.

“Incidents such as this where the question revolves around whether and how the player is contesting the ball are not easy,” Gleeson said.

The jury’s ruling that Rioli had made high contact with Rowell no longer mattered when the rough conduct charge was banished.

“I believe my duty was to commit to the contest and help my team at any cost,” Rioli said when giving his evidence.

Caller Pete told Gareth Parker on 6PR Breakfast a different angle of the Rioli incident on the West Coast website clearly showed the Eagle had no case to answer.

Press PLAY below to hear Tania Armstrong and Parker discuss the Rioli verdict.