A STRIKING charge against Fremantle's Josh Carr was sensationally struck out by the AFL Tribunal last night after evidence presented by West Coast's Daniel Chick was picked apart by the defence.

The three-man tribunal took just seconds to find Carr not guilty of striking Chick behind play in the opening minutes of Saturday's spiteful match at Subiaco.

The outcome portrayed Chick as a less than credible witness.

No video footage was available and the alleged incident was not seen by any of the umpires.

Both players last night gave evidence via a video link from Perth, with Chick's evidence taking up most of the hour-long case.

Questioned by player advocate Grant Donaldson, SC, Chick said he suffered "quite serious bruising … from the top of my hip to just below my Eagles' premiership tattoo".

Asked to be more specific, Chick gestured towards his right side and said the contact was "between my hip and third rib" and forced him to be taken from the ground.

He told the hearing he did not seek any treatment during or after the match from medical staff.

"I'm on match payments, I don't tell them (doctors) anything," he said.

The charge arose following Chick's complaint to a field umpire during the first quarter of the match.

A "notice of complaint" was lodged after the game and Carr was charged when AFL Investigations Officer Bill Kneebone found he had a case to answer.

Carr would have been sidelined for two games with an early guilty plea.

Instead, the Dockers vigorously contested the charge and Carr is free to play against Melbourne on Sunday.

The case further highlights the bitterness between the two clubs and was a stark departure from the common practice of players not giving evidence against opponents.

Chick volunteered that "as I turned my back" he received a "very forceful" blow to his ribs and turned to see Carr running away.

"Basically, I tried to run off but was unable to due to the force of the blow," he said. "When the nearest umpire came within my vicinity I reported the fact I'd been hit behind play."

Donaldson then played video of the opening five minutes and 50 seconds of the game.

The former Hawk could not recount at what point during the footage he was struck.

Carr told the tribunal "I couldn't believe it" when he was told he'd been charged for striking Chick.

"I don't have a clue what he's talking about," he said. "I remember who I got in scuffles with but I was never near him."