Belle Dawes is free to play in Brisbane’s AFLW preliminary remaining after having a one-game ban for charging dismissed by the tribunal.
Two-time premiership participant Dawes was slapped with the suspension after charging front-on into Hawthorn’s Ainslie Kemp within the second quarter of their qualifying remaining win.
Kemp was cleared of a concussion however suffered cervical whiplash, with Dawes’ act graded as careless conduct, medium influence and excessive contact.
However the tribunal overturned the ban on Wednesday after deliberating for 2 hours.
Tribunal chair Renee Enbom KC acknowledged Dawes had restricted choices throughout the play.
“This cost has not been a straightforward one to resolve,” Enbom stated.
“The collision did contain a number of pressure, and it is uncomfortable to observe nevertheless … Ms Dawes had few choices to minimise the collision that grew to become inevitable.”
The Lions had argued that Dawes was not charging in the direction of Kemp or careless in her actions, with the 23-year-old saying she had opted to deal with however was too near Kemp to take action safely.
“I did not need to harm her,” Dawes stated.
“My subsequent transfer was to attempt to simply get out of that state of affairs.
“I did not realise I jumped on the time. I used to be simply making an attempt to get my head and my shoulders away from her.
“I did not need to get concussed both. I’ve had a number of of them entering into for the hardball, so I used to be simply making an attempt to get away.
“You can say Craig (Starcevich, Brisbane coach) would not be blissful as a result of I did not full the deal with however I believe in that occasion I used to be simply making an attempt to get out of hurt’s means for each of us.”
The Lions will host a preliminary remaining in opposition to both Adelaide or Fremantle subsequent week, whereas Hawthorn play Port Adelaide in a semi-final on Saturday.
Kemp is anticipated to be out there for the Hawks.
AAP
