Collingwood defender Brayden Maynard cleared to play in preliminary final

Brayden Maynard of Collingwood checks over Angus Brayshaw after the Melbourne player was knocked unconscious in last week’s AFL finals match. Photograph: Joel Carrett/AAP

Brayden Maynard will take part in Collingwood’s premiership charge after the AFL tribunal cleared him of a rough conduct charge for an attempted smother that left Melbourne’s Angus Brayshaw concussed.

The tribunal finally made its decision on Tuesday night four hours after the hearing began, and after an hour of deliberations.