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West Coast ruckman Nic Naitanui can escape with a fine for his shove on Essendon midfielder Zach Merrett.

West Coast ruckman Nic Naitanui is free to play in next week's AFL semi-final after escaping suspension for slamming an opponent into a fence.

Naitanui was left fuming after Bombers midfielder Zach Merrett tugged on one of his dreadlocks during the third quarter of West Coast's 55-point elimination final win.

The 29-year-old Eagle grabbed Merrett by the throat and slammed him into the boundary-line fence in reaction to the incident.

Merrett wasn't injured by the impact, and both players can escape with a $1000 fine with an early guilty plea.

The news will be a huge relief to West Coast, who need Naitanui available and firing on all cylinders if they are to win the premiership from fifth spot.

Naitanui was influential against the Bombers, tallying 14 disposals, 24 hitouts, and four crunching tackles in just 53 per cent of game time.

It was Naitanui's first game back since suffering a syndesmosis ankle injury in round 17.

West Coast's win over Essendon featured numerous off-the-ball wrestles.

But only one other fine was handed out - to Essendon's Conor McKenna.

The defender was slugged with a $1500 fine for striking West Coast's Jack Redden.