Essendon spearhead Joe Daniher remains free to play in Round 1 after accepting a $1000 fine for striking Greater Western Sydney captain Phil Davis last Friday night.

Daniher was reported for striking Davis during the fourth quarter of the Bombers' NAB Challenge loss to the Giants at Spotless Stadium after a clumsy spoiling attempt.

The AFL announced on Monday afternoon that the Match Review Panel had offered Daniher a $1000 sanction with an early plea, having assessed his hit on Davis to be careless conduct with low impact to the head.

Daniher's offence was classified as a $1500 sanction under the MRP's new table of penalties, but the Bomber has no bad record, and on Tuesday he accepted a $1000 fine by submitting an early guilty plea.

All suspensions incurred in the NAB Challenge must be served in the home and away season, rather than in subsequent pre-season games.