Essendon defender Mark Johnson has been cleared to play against Port Adelaide this Friday night by the AFL tribunal. Johnson was facing the tribunal after umpire Andrew Coates charged him with striking Kangaroo Shannon Grant in the final quarter of last Friday night's season opener. Johnson pleaded not guilty. After considering evidence from Coates, Johnson and Grant, the tribunal found the charge could not be sustained.

With Johnson now a definite starter this weekend, Essendon selectors face the difficult task of squeezing Michael Long and possibly Damien Hardwick and Dean Wallis into a winning side.

Damien Peverill missed training tonight because of concussion while Aaron Henneman trained strongly. The young key defender spent most of the second half of the Kangaroos match on the bench because of cramp.