Adelaide tall Montana McKinnon joins Katie Brennan on the AFLW unwanted list, becoming the second player to be suspended for a grand final.
McKinnon will miss the AFLW Grand Final after the standout ruck was charged with making rough contact with Fremantle star Kiara Bowers during the second quarter of Adelaide's preliminary final win.
The incident was assessed as careless conduct, medium impact with high contact.
It's devastating news for the young ruck, who finished the 2022 season with 12 contested marks (third overall and first for rucks) and was named in the AFLPA AFLW 22under22 squad for the 2022 season.
In good news for the Crows' season-deciding counterparts, Melbourne's preliminary final hero Alyssa Bannan will be available for Saturday's mouth-watering decider after being reprimanded for her dangerous tackle on Brisbane's Sophie Conway.
Bannan was instrumental in Melbourne's four-point win at the MCG, booting three crucial goals and recording five tackles.
The incident was assessed as careless conduct, low impact and high contact with the incident resulting in a $400 sanction.
With the Pearce/Harris combination in full swing, Bannan has shown in the last month she can be the most dangerous forward with her speed and may cause a few headaches for the Crows' defenders who thrive on controlling the footy.
By no means the most “dangerous” incident during either of the prelim finals.
However – by far the most severe penalty.
It’s as though the vfl “wants” Melbourne to win the GF……. particularly if the “standard” (bias?) of the umpiring in Adelaide’s prelim is taken into account.
What’s teh bet the umpiring in the GF is “controversial”?