Hepburn had alleged Allen spat in the face of Burras player Leigh Santurini during the round one senior clash on April 5.

The matter was referred to an investigator, who recommended Allen had no case to answer.

Allen said he had regularly been sledged since the opening-round fixture.

“It was probably unnecessary, I reckon. I didn’t do anything wrong and it got proven with the investigation,” Allen said.

“It definitely played on my mind since round one.

“I run a business in Ballarat as well. It doesn’t just affect you in football, it affects everything, I suppose.”

Allen admitted he was disappointed the matter had progressed so far, but was relieved it would not have to come before the AFL Goldfields Region Independent Tribunal.

“In the back of my mind I knew I was not guilty and I didn’t do it, but you never know what goes on with what (Hepburn) are claiming and their witnesses,” he said.

Allen said he hoped the investigator’s recommendation would clear his image as he comes to the end of a long and successful playing career.

“I hope it does because I have never been taken to the tribunal, never been sent off and I have never been reported,” he said. “I’ve been playing footy since I was 16 and at a pretty high standard. 

“It will probably be my last couple of years of footy and to be accused of something I definitely didn’t do is pretty disappointing on (Hepburn’s) behalf as a club.”

Meanwhile, Ballan’s Chris Wilkinson will tonight front the tribunal after an investigation into the round one reserves clash between the Blues and Daylesford.

Wilkinson will appear on a striking charge and is looking to avoid a second de-registration after being handed a lifetime ban while playing for Sebastopol in 2011. He was later re-registered and now plays for Ballan.

tim.oconnor@fairfaxmedia.com.au