Will Minson will be free to play Saturday against the GWS Giants, with the Bulldogs ruckman’s appeal upheld by the VFL Appeals Board on Thursday night.

The initial four match sanction handed down to the 30-year-old at Tuesday’s  VFL Tribunal hearing has been repealed, with the appeals board issuing Minson with a severe reprimand and $7,500 fine.

Bulldogs President Peter Gordon spoke to assembled media after the appeals hearing.

“We would like to firstly thank the VFL tribunal, we felt like we received a very fair hearing tonight, and it was important to Will and our club,” Gordon said.

“Secondly we would like to thank AFL Victoria for the approach that they took to this case.

“The rule which prohibits making contact with an umpire is a very important rule – this particular incident we think was at the lower end of scale and I think that the collegial approach that AFL Victoria took to this was a constructive way of going about it.

“Thirdly I would like to thank and acknowledge the officiating umpire Tom Chystie.

“Tom was obliged as an umpire to make this report because the rule is very clear that contact with umpires is prohibited.

“The rule is clear and there for a reason.

“It obviously attracted a lot of media and a lot of aggressive media, and it is no easy thing for an umpire in those circumstance, so I wanted to acknowledge Tom as it was a difficult thing for him, to do and he conducted himself, both in the game and during the week and in the hearing with great dignity.”

Satisfied with a thorough appeals process and fair outcome, Gordon told gathered media that the ruckman’s career could have been in doubt should the original penalty have remained.

"He's 30 years old and the game moves on quicker than any of us would like and he's really struggled to get back into the side," Gordon said.

"He's got his opportunity and who knows whether that opportunity would have been available in five weeks' time?

"I hope that he makes the most of it and I'm sure that he's determined to."

Gordon said Minson had been "quite chastened" by the past week's events.

"I think you get into a situation like this and it takes everybody by surprise and it causes a fair bit of deep reflection," the president said.

"I think he's been through a range of emotions this week but over and above all of those things, which are all important, I think he's pleased to be back playing AFL footy."

Minson will now take his place in the Western Bulldogs side for Saturday’s round nine AFL fixture at Etihad Stadium.