AFL, Bulldogs skipper Brennan settle differences over AFLW grand final ban
Related Story: Bulldogs skipper Katie Brennan banned for rough conduct, misses AFLW grand finalRelated Story: Brennan takes 'discriminatory' AFL rules to Human Rights Commission
Western Bulldogs AFLW skipper Katie Brennan will be able to play in round one next season after settling her differences with the league over her controversial grand-final ban.
Brennan missed the Dogs' first women's premiership after an appeal against a two-match suspension was dismissed.
Brennan was at the centre of controversy when she was suspended for the grand final when found guilty of a sling tackle against Melbourne's Harriet Cordner in round seven — the round before the grand final.
The offence carried a reprimand, but because it was her second such offence of the year the penalty was increased to a week's ban.
However, in the same situation, an AFL player would have been able to pay a fine and be eligible to play in the decider.
Brennan challenged the decision at the AFLW appeals tribunal and lost, resulting in the penalty rising to two weeks — inclusive of round one of the 2019 season.
She took her grievance to the Australian Human Rights Commission, but that was dropped after the AFL agreed to amend the penalty system for the women's competition.
On Wednesday, the AFL and Brennan released a joint statement saying they had resolved their differences.
"The AFL acknowledges that the sanction regime established by the League for the women's game differs from the men's game," the statement read.
"This regime was established in good faith and in consultation and agreement with the players through the AFLPA in 2016.
"The AFL, Katie Brennan and the Western Bulldogs have agreed that, in the post-season review conducted by the AFL into all aspects of the AFLW season, the AFL will amend the differences in the sanctions regime to ensure AFLW players are not more likely to be suspended than men for identical disciplinary records."
ABC/AAP
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