Grace Baba turns into first AFLW participant suspended earlier than making league debut after putting cost

Hawthorn’s Grace Baba has made historical past by changing into the primary AFLW participant to be suspended earlier than making her official debut.

Baba, who was chosen by the Hawks in final 12 months’s draft, was handed a one-match suspension for putting Richmond’s Laura McClelland in Sunday’s observe match.

The incident occurred off the ball as Baba and McClelland grappled for place deep inside Hawthorn’s ahead line.

Footage from behind the Hawks’ objectives appeared to indicate Baba putting McClelland within the abdomen together with her proper hand, with the blow dropping McClelland to her knees.

The match overview officer graded the motion a strike with intentional conduct, medium impression and physique contact.

Baba’s suspension means she will probably be ineligible for choice in Hawthorn’s spherical one conflict towards Brisbane at Springfield Central Stadium in Ipswich on August 17.

Baba’s strike was the one bitter word to come back out of a powerful 37-point win over the Tigers for the Hawks of their last observe match earlier than the season will get underway.

Hawks skipper Emily Bates (23 disposals and 7 inside 50s) was dominant alongside Tilly Lucas-Rodd (19 disposals).

Final 12 months’s main aim kicker, Aine McDonagh, was on music once more, main the Hawks with three objectives, whereas Greta Bodey added two majors.