Gary Ablett remains runaway favourite for the Brownlow Medal, with the Gold Coast captain cleared by the AFL match review panel for his elbow on Liam Picken.

Ablett lashed out at the Western Bulldogs tagger in Sunday’s match at Metricon Stadium, but the panel ruled the contact was below the force that required a report.

Replays proved inconclusive as to whether he struck Picken’s face or chest.

Ablett’s sensational form has him on pace to win a third Brownlow, becoming just the fifth man to do so.

Bookmakers had suspended markets as they waited for the panel’s verdict on Monday.