Adelaide star Izak Rankine has been suspended for four matches after he was found guilty of using a homophobic slur towards a Collingwood opponent in their round 23 match.
With one round to go in the regular season, the length of the ban means Rankine could be eligible to play in the grand final, although the first-placed Crows would need to lose their qualifying final before winning through to the decider.
If Adelaide win their opening finals match, they'll get a week off before the prelim, meaning the 25-year-old would be suspended for the club's first grand final since 2017, should they get there.
Per an AFL statement on Thursday, Rankine has also been ordered to undertake further Pride In Sport training.
“The language used was offensive, hurtful and highly inappropriate,” AFL General Counsel Stephen Meade said following a lengthy investigation.
“Our players have a very clear understanding of what is acceptable on the football field. Importantly, in this instance it was called out by players and acknowledged by Izak himself as wrong — and that reflects the standards we expect and demand in our game.
“Izak has said he knew it was not acceptable. Adelaide have said they know it is not acceptable. In an AFL environment, this behaviour is not acceptable. Homophobia has no place in football.
“The suspension is significant, but stamping out vilification in our game is incredibly important. Everyone in football understands the rules, and there are consequences of breaching them.”
The AFL statement adds that Rankine contacted the Collingwood player to apologise, had shown remorse and cooperated with the investigation, while also citing “compelling medical submissions”.
Based on the suspension Sydney's Riak Andrew received following a comment he made in the VFL last month, the precedent appeared to be set at five matches.
One round prior, West Coast's Jack Graham was given a four-match ban, although his self-reporting was considered to be a mitigating factor.
Several reports earlier this week had emerged detailing Adelaide's attempts to have the impending ban reduced and give Rankine a chance to play a part in their finals campaign.
Those attempts were reportedly based around potential provocation of Rankine by Collingwood players, as well as arguing finals should be weighted differently when it comes to suspensions.
Journalist Jon Ralph even suggested the club would point to the AFL's own inconsistencies on such subjects, including booking American rapper Snoop Dogg to play at this year's grand final despite using similarly homophobic language in his own music.
To conclude, the league said future matters would be dealt with on a case-by-case basis:
"The AFL will continue to consider the specific circumstances in each incident in determining appropriate responses."