McKenzie overturns AFLW ban, Pauga rubbed out for two

The news isn't so good for Pauga, who is set to miss the Giants' crunch matches against West Coast and Melbourne after being offered a two-game suspension. 

The former Brisbane Lions premiership winner grabbed onto Montana Ham's jumper and slung the Sydney star to the ground in a tackle that resulted in Ham's head hitting the turf with force.

Ham, the No.1 pick from the 2022 national draft, was visibly distressed straight after the incident and required medical attention.

Pauga immediately checked on Ham's welfare after realising the force of the sling tackle. 

Mikayla Pauga has been offered a two-match suspension for this tackle on Montana Ham.— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) Full Sunday Match Review findings: https://t.co/a1rAW2aJEa pic.twitter.com/NxJyO5ys5MSeptember 23, 2024

Although Ham was able to return to the field, Pauga's tackle was graded as careless conduct, high impact and high contact.

McKenzie was initially handed a one-match suspension for a dangerous tackle on Carlton's Dayna Finn during the Tigers' 33-point victory last Thursday.

Finn hit her head on the ground and, while she was able to play out the game, the tackle was graded as careless conduct, medium impact and high contact.

It was re-graded as low impact on Monday, reducing McKenzie's penalty to a financial sanction.

McKenzie has starred in Richmond's three-match winning streak and will be important to their chances of toppling Port at Ikon Park on Tuesday night.

Since opening their season with a shock one-point loss to West Coast, the Tigers (3-1) have beaten GWS, the Swans and Carlton to rocket into the top eight.

The Power (1-3) sit 13th after consecutive losses to Fremantle and premiership fancies North Melbourne.

Meanwhile, the Dockers will challenge Gabby O'Sullivan's one-match ban for striking.

The striking charge on Melbourne's Sinead Goldrick was graded as intentional conduct, low impact and high contact.