With defender Dee Heslop heading straight to the Tribunal to face the largest ban in AFLW history, Brisbane’s finals campaign has been completely derailed.
Heslop received a citation for a hard tackle on Demon Rhi Watt during the first quarter of the Lions’ commanding 25-point victory on Saturday.
The 22-year-old is expected to miss at least three weeks of action, and if she can’t get the heavy punishment revoked, she may not return for the 2023 season.
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Vision showed Heslop pin Watt’s arms as she was driven head-first into the Brighton Homes Arena turf.
The Match Review determined Heslop’s actions careless, with high contact and severe impact.
Watt was able to leave the pitch and jog with Melbourne trainers by her side, but she was unable to pass the concussion test and was not allowed to play any more.
Commentator Jason Bennett stated, “It’s really bad luck for Rhi Watt to be watching on.”
It was only her second game of the year. worked incredibly hard to get the chance.
Watt has suffered yet another setback to his injury, and as a result of the AFL’s concussion protocols, he will not play in this weekend’s qualifying final against North Melbourne.
Her debut for the Demons came against Brisbane in her second game since joining from St Kilda in early 2022 to recuperate from an ACL injury.
However, she didn’t participate in season seven prior to arriving in Melbourne last month.
This weekend, Brisbane will travel to Adelaide to play the minor premiers in the first qualifying final.
However, Charlotte Mullins, who was cited for striking Melbourne’s Shelley Heath during the first term, might also be absent.
After what appeared to be a vision of the Rising Star nominee collecting Heath with an errant elbow off the ball, she was given a one-match ban.
Najwa Allen♿, who recently served the longest AFLW suspension, will be back for the Crows after serving a three-game suspension for her high shepherd.
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Sydney supporters can now finally relax, as we have finally determined the 2023 AFLW finalists, even though it took until the season’s last game.
On a thrilling final day that started with 13 teams mathematically still in the running, the Swans’ victory over Fremantle in the west guaranteed their place in the top eight.
It indicates that, despite only being in the competition for two seasons, Essendon and Sydney have both made it to the AFLW finals for the first time. Last year, the Swans had an undefeated season.
Sydney would have finished 7th instead of 8th if they had not conceded a behind with 1:19 left in the game against the Dockers.
See the 2023 AFLW finals fixture and how the AFLW finals system works below.
Week 1 of the AFLW 2023 Finals Fixture (all times AEDT)
Brisbane Lions vs. (1) Adelaide Crows in the first qualifying final
Norwood Oval on Saturday, November 11, at 3:05 p.m.
First Elimination Final: Sydney Swans vs. Gold Coast Suns (5)
November 11, Saturday, at 7:15 p.m. at Heritage Bank Stadium
(6) Essendon vs. (7) Geelong in the Second Elimination Final
Sunday, November 12, at GMHBA Stadium at 1:05 p.m.
Third Melbourne against Second Melbourne in the Second Qualifying Final
Sunday, November 12, at Ikon Park at 3:05 p.m.
Week 2 of the AFLW 2023 Finals Fixture (all times AEDT)
November 18–19 weekend
First Semi Final: [Winner of Gold Coast Suns vs. Sydney Swans] hosts [Loser of Adelaide Crows vs. Brisbane Lions]
Time, Date, and Location TBD
Second Semi Final: [North Melbourne vs. Melbourne Loser] hosts [Geelong vs. Essendon Winner]
Time, Date, and Location TBD
Week 3 of the AFLW 2023 Finals Fixture (all times AEDT)
25–26 November weekend
First Preliminary Final: [Winner of Second Semi Final] hosts [Winner of Adelaide Crows vs. Brisbane Lions].
Time, Date, and Location TBD
Second preliminary round: [North Melbourne vs. Melbourne winner] hosts [First Semi Final winner]
Time, Date, and Location TBD
AFLW GRAND FINAL 2023
December 2-3 weekend
First preliminary final winner versus second preliminary final winner
Time, Date, and Location
In the Second Semi Final, the victor of the Second Elimination Final (Geelong vs. Essendon) will host the losers of the Second Qualifying Final (Melbourne vs. North Melbourne).
In the First Preliminary Final, Melbourne, North Melbourne, Geelong, or Essendon, the winners of the Second Semi Final, will play the winner of the First Qualifying Final (Adelaide vs. Brisbane).
In the Second Preliminary Final, the victor of the First Semi Final (Adelaide, Brisbane, Gold Coast, or Sydney) will host the winner of the Second Qualifying Final (Melbourne vs. North Melbourne).
The 2023 AFLW Grand Final pits the winners of the two preliminary finals against one another.
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