Ava Usher's Rising Star hopes ended by suspension ban
Gold Coast's Ava Usher, a Rising Star frontrunner, is automatically ineligible for the award after receiving a one-game suspension.
Ava Usher was suspended for a high bump on Richmond's Bec Miller in the final seconds of the Suns' four-point win on Saturday. The Match Review Officer rated it as high contact with medium impact.
High contact with medium impact triggered a one-match ban. Under AFLW Rising Star rules, any player suspended loses eligibility for the award.
The award comes with $20,000 prize money. Usher was nominated in round nine and is widely considered a frontrunner.
The Suns can challenge the suspension to restore her eligibility. If the challenge succeeds, she could play Sunday against Greater Western Sydney, where the Suns are fighting for a top-four spot.
- $20,000
- Prize money
- Round nine
- Nominated round
- Richmond
- Opposition
- Four-point win
- Game margin
Why it mattersRemoves a leading contender from the awards race and tests whether Gold Coast can reclaim their star for finals football.
AustraliaAffects Gold Coast's final ladder position and which AFLW team will claim the Rising Star award this season.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 3 h ago
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