AN EMBARRASSED Jeremy Howe has escaped suspension at the AFL Tribunal for wiping blood on the shorts of Port Adelaide opponent Tom Jonas last weekend.

The Melbourne forward pleaded guilty to misconduct, telling the Tribunal he had acted out of frustration and if he had his time again he would act differently.
 
Howe was given the base penalty of 125 demerit points which was reduced to 93.75 points by his good record and guilty plea.
 
The high-marking Howe said he had immediately known he had done the wrong thing, and had spoken with the Melbourne club doctor about the seriousness of his action.
 
He is free to line-up this Saturday against North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium.

"I'm very, very remorseful and it's obviously a bit of an embarrassment to myself," Howe said after the hearing. ?

"When the incident occurred, it was in the heat of the moment and if I had my time again I would have taken it back but I couldn't. I knew I did the wrong thing, and I spoke to the club about it. I'm glad to get the result we did."
 
Meanwhile, Richmond defender Steven Morris was unsuccessful in his bid to challenge his $1600 fine for engaging in a melee. The 23-year-old could have accepted a $1200 fine with an early plea.
 
The Tribunal agreed Morris had not been involved at the start of the melee, but said he had become involved later when he had remonstrated with North Melbourne forward Lindsay Thomas.