Brennan to miss AFLW decider
KATIE Brennan is set to miss the AFLW grand final with the Western Bulldogs skipper’s suspension upheld by the tribunal.
The four-member jury last night found Brennan guilty of rough conduct over her sling tackle on Harriet Cordner in the Dogs’ tense final-round win against Melbourne.
Her suspension has been increased to two games, including Saturday’s decider against Brisbane Lions at Princes Park in Melbourne.
The Bulldogs will now weigh up whether to mount a further challenge before the AFL Appeals Board tomorrow night.
Brennan was in tears as she made a brief statement after the hearing.
“I’m gutted with the decision but I’ll support the club in whatever they choose to do going forward,” she said.
“We’ve proved that the girls don’t need myself out on the field to win games and I’ll back them 100 per cent and also be able to play a really important role on game day.”
Cordner was shaken but able to play out the game after she was awarded a free kick, with the tackle classified as low impact, high contact and careless conduct.
Brennan’s advocate, Sam Norton, argued her actions were not unreasonable under the high-pressure circumstances.
AFL legal counsel Andrew Woods argued she had used excessive force.
The jury found Brennan guilty after 22 minutes. Norton tried to have Brennan’s penalty reduced on the basis of exceptional and compelling circumstances.