AFLW best-and-fairest favourite Kiara Bowers has been successful in escaping a suspension at the AFLW tribunal ahead of a crunch final-round clash.
The Fremantle star was slapped with a one-match ban for a dangerous tackle in the Dockers’ five-point defeat to Melbourne on Sunday.
Bowers’ tackle on the Demons’ Eden Zanker – which you can watch in the video above – was assessed by the match review officer as careless conduct, medium impact and high contact.
But Fremantle elected to challenge the ban at the tribunal on Tuesday night and were successful in having the impact downgraded to low.
Melbourne reported Zanker had some neck pain but did not require medical assistance, and she was not diagnosed with concussion.
Bowers, 29, was given a $400 fine and now remains eligible to win the league’s top individual honour.
“Fantastic outcome, we’re overwhelmed and really happy with the outcome that Kiara’s going to be able to play this weekend,” Dockers football boss Joe Brierty said.
“She’s obviously a very important player for us and it’s a big game this weekend. It was a really good argument tonight from our legal counsel in Seamus Rafferty and it’s a fantastic outcome for the club.”
But the decision, which arrived as the footy world reacted to AFL midfielder Patrick Dangerfield’s three-match ban, angered footy followers.
Fremantle 200-gamer Paul Hasleby said the tackle “deserved weeks” on the sidelines and called for consistency.
7NEWS chief football reporter Mark Stevens urged league officials to appeal the tribunal’s decision, as it did in 2017 when Bachar Houli received a ‘manifestly inadequate’ two-match ban for striking.
As things stand, Bowers will be available for Fremantle’s last regular-season game – a crunch clash with North Melbourne on Saturday.
The tribunal’s decision has boosted the Dockers’ hopes of securing a home final and reduced the Kangaroos’ chances of even making the top six.
The Dockers slipped to fourth on the ladder following their shock loss to Melbourne, while North Melbourne dropped to sixth after losing to the Brisbane Lions.
The Kangaroos’ Jenna Bruton has been ruled out of the clash with the Dockers after accepting a one-game suspension for rough conduct against the Brisbane Lions’ Shannon Campbell.
The Lions’ Greta Bodey has escaped with a $400 fine for tripping North’s Jess Duffin.