Adelaide Crows player Ebony Marinoff has been suspended for three games after a dangerous challenge on Irish GWS Giants star Brid Stack.
The 11-time All-Ireland winner was brought to hospital with a suspected neck injury after the challenge in Sunday's clash.
A tribunal charged Marinoff with forceful front-on contact, she pleaded not guilty but the tribunal upheld the charge.
"I'm really disappointed with this outcome, it was never my intention to hurt Brid," Marinoff said.
"Every time I go onto the footy field I want to play hard but fair football and I believe that’s what I did on Sunday.
"I reached out to Brid to send her my best and I wish her a fast recovery."
The Crows head of women's football Phil Harper added: "The club is really disappointed with this outcome and we’ll be considering our options going forward."
Stack has been released from hospital after suffering the worrying neck injury
She suffered a stable fracture of the C7 vertebrae, but did not damage surrounding nerves as surgery will not be required.
Giants confirmed that she has been released from hospital on Monday morning (Irish time) and that the club will support her family through her recovery.
"This was an incredibly unfortunate accident and we're thankful that Bríd has avoided serious injury," said Giants Head of Women's Football Bri Harvey.
"Bríd and her family have made incredible sacrifices to come to Australia to play in the AFL Women’s competition and we will be supporting them all the way through her recovery.
"We’d like to thank all those who provided Bríd with the best possible care both at the ground and in hospital across Sunday."
