Essendon utility Chris Heffernan was tonight cleared of a striking charge and is free to play against the West Coast Eagles at Subiaco this Sunday afternoon. Heffernan was charged on video evidence for allegedly striking Mark Alvey of the Western Bulldogs. However the tribunal declared that Heffernan had no charge to answer with the contact to the stomach not considered strong enough to be considered a strike. The decision was good news for the Bombers who are already without Dustin Fletcher because of suspension this weekend.