Hale was reported for forceful front-on contact against North Melbourne midfielder Leigh Adams during the Hawks' big win at Craigieburn.
The incident was assessed by the Match Review Panel, which found that "Hale had no realistic alternative way to contest the ball".
PRESS PLAY above to watch the incident | YouTube
Hale was saved by the fact he had his arms down when the contact was made.
North Melbourne youngster Taylor Hine is also free to play in round one after the match-day report laid against him for a front-on bump on Hawthorn's Jack Gunston was dismissed.
The MRP decided there was minimal high contact in the incident and that the force used was below that required to constitute a reportable offence.
The final incident assessed from the weekend's matches was the contact between the Brisbane Lions' Mitch Golby and Carlton's Marc Murphy that occurred in the third quarter of Friday night's NAB Cup Grand Final.
It was the view of the panel that the majority of contact was made to Murphy’s shoulder, upper arm and body by Golby’s arm and was below that required to constitute a reportable offence.
