COLLINGWOOD captain Steph Chiocci will miss the rest of the 2018 NAB AFL Women's season after accepting a two-match suspension for her high hit on Western Bulldogs opponent Libby Birch.
Match review officer Michael Christian graded the bump as careless conduct with high impact to the head.
Birch was reaching down to collect possession when Chiocci ran through and made forceful front-on contact to her opponent, sending her from the ground with a cut head.
"The seriousness of the potential for injury that might have occurred was enough to get [the impact grading] from medium to high," Christian said on Monday.
"I hope it does send a message that front-on bumping is something we do not want to see in the game.
"There was an adverse medical report for Libby and she spent over five minutes off the ground.
"That probably would have fitted into the medium impact range, but because of that potential to cause serious injury I decided to upgrade it to high."
1/2 - Another tough loss against quality opposition. Thank you for the messages of support; even when unintentional, I understand the need to take a stand against head high contact. Whilst I’m disappointed my season has finished this way, I respect the decision @CollingwoodFCW
— Stephanie Chiocci (@Steph_Chiocci) March 6, 2018
2/2 - I look forward to supporting the girls over the next few weeks as we look to finish our season on a high @CollingwoodFCW #FOREVER
— Stephanie Chiocci (@Steph_Chiocci) March 6, 2018
In one of the more heated matches of the second AFLW season, Birch was also cited by Christian for a mistimed spoil on Magpie Mo Hope and accepted a reprimand for striking.
Collingwood's Britt Bonnici and Western Bulldogs opponent Emma Kearney each accepted reprimands for misconduct after a scuffle erupted on the boundary line.
In other charges, Adelaide pair Deni Varnhagen and Eloise Jones were charged with forceful front-on contact and rough conduct respectively and accepted reprimands, while Bulldog Kirsten McLeod was also reprimanded for tripping.
There were no outstanding charges from the JLT Community Series.
St Kilda defender Shane Savage had already accepted a $2000 fine for engaging in rough conduct in the collision that saw Carlton draftee Paddy Dow chip his front tooth last Wednesday night.