Essendon defender Mark Baguley is free to play against Melbourne this Saturday after having his charge downgraded at the Tribunal.

Baguley was charged with striking Jack Lonie and offered a one game sanction.

The match review panel classified the incident as intentional contact with low impact to the head.

But Baguley successfully had the charge downgraded, with the defender instead handed a $1500 fine.

He rated the force of the contact three out of 10.
 
"It's a great result, I stood by my evidence and gave a statement and I think common sense prevailed," he said.

"I was surprised that I got the initial sanction of two weeks down to one with an early plea.
 
"So I was glad the club wanted to challenge and we got the right outcome.
 
"I don't believe I made contact to his neck or head, so I stood by my evidence."