Brisbane will head to the AFLW tribunal on Tuesday night in an attempt to keep Dakota Davidson available for this weekend's blockbuster grand final rematch against North Melbourne.
The Gunditjmara forward was decisive with four majors in a big win against the Bombers on Sunday, including three in the first half, but received a one-game suspension for striking Essendon's Maddison Gay leading into the main break.
Davidson's attempt to spoil resulted in a late swinging arm, catching Gay high.
Cited with striking by the match review officer, Davidson's contact was graded as careless conduct, medium impact and high, resulting in a one-game ban.
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Registering a 48-point away win against the Bombers at Windy Hill, the Lions host their grand final opponents from 2024 and 2025 in the second round of the season.
North claimed back-to-back flags with a 56-16 win in last year's grand final, having bestest the Lions by 30 points 12 months earlier.
In the first of three straight grand finals between the two sides. Brisbane had initial success with a 17-point triumph — Davidson proving crucial in the result.
North, undefeated since the 2023 premiership decider, continued with their record-breaking run of wins with a 12-goal win over Geelong in round one.
Brisbane coach Craig Starcevich applauded Davidson after their win over the Bombers, saying his forward's four goals was a continuation of recent form in front of the sticks.
"She's got strong hands. She's got good forward craft, and when she's on, she hits the scoreboard as well," he said.
Starcevich added their rivals were "daunting" in their display against the Cats.
"Different seasons bring up different challenges and different opportunities," he said. "We've got a few in the team now that they haven't seen before, so that's helpful. So have they, by the way.
"Every time we play each other, it's you know, it's a game we really circle and look forward to playing."
Gangulu midfielder Ally Anderson missed the win over the Bombers with a hamstring setback picked up in training last week, while Courtney Hodder was a late out with sickness.
The tribunal will sit on Tuesday night in regards to Davidson's contested ban.
