Ross Lyon has supported the Match Review Panel’s (MRP) decision to send Hayden Ballantyne straight to the AFL Tribunal, saying they had their hands tied behind their back.

The Freo forward was charged with rough conduct for a bump on Adelaide’s Matthew Jaensch in Sunday’s game.

Under guidelines, Ballantyne was facing a lengthy suspension, but the MRP decided to refer the case directly to the AFL Tribunal.

Ballantyne was cleared of any wrongdoing after successfully arguing the ball was his sole intention and that Jaensch was between him and the ball.

Lyon praised the MRP’s decision to refer the case, adding it didn’t have much room to move under its current guidelines.

“They (MRP) clearly made a judgment that it doesn't really fit the parameters they get to work in,” he said.

“I think it’s self evident that they are a bit hamstrung and they are a bit uncomfortable dealing with these sorts of situations where there is a perceived bump involved, but they (the players) are competing for the ball.

“I think the MRP’s hands are tied, but it might be the right way - if it doesn't fit the parameters, refer it to the tribunal.”

Lyon said if a review was to take place into the system, the Ballantyne case highlighted the need to find some consistency in interpretation.

“They (MRP) need some flexibility in their gradings and interpretations,” he said.

“As much as I think they may have wanted to say he was contesting the ball, like the decision that has been made, they haven't got the scope for that I think. So therefore, they did the right thing and referred it to the tribunal.”

Lyon added his personal opinion on the incident was that there was no malice.

He said Ballantyne was competing for the ball, just as every player had been taught.

“You have been since under 10s, getting between your opponent and the ball, remove them, and get after the ball,” Lyon said.

“And that's what we coach our players on - if you make the ball your object, you'll be ok.

“Everyone saw it that way, so I was pleased for Hayden. But more importantly I'm pleased for AFL football.”

Lyon also said it wasn’t a ‘nuisance’ to AFL clubs if matters had to keep being referred from the MRP to the Tribunal.

“When you need clarity, we have he right mechanisms in place so everyone gets a fair hearing,” he said.

“So, there has been an appeal process with (Jack) Viney, it has gone to the tribunal here, and there is the MRP.”

Lyon said the mechanisms on the surface seemed to be working well, and issued a reminder about the reasons why the bumping issue had become so prevalent.

“The intention is to look after players’ health and safety in terms of concussion, so it's a great goal to have,” he said.

“And it’s a really honourable objective and an important one, because we want young Auskickers playing our game - so let's not get too flippant with why it is in and lose sight of it.

“The intention is really healthy and the aim of our game is really healthy, but at the highest level there is some grey areas and we're all working through that.”