AFL to appeal Sheerin's not-guilty tribunal finding

The AFL is taking the unusual step of appealing against a tribunal verdict, after AFLW star Eilish Sheerin's umpire contact penalty was dramatically reduced.

Richmond were given a massive pre-finals boost on Tuesday night when the tribunal found their midfield ace not guilty of intentional umpire contact.

Instead, Sheerin pleaded guilty to careless contact and was fined $200 after the tribunal's deliberations took 90 minutes .

Sheerin smiled and rubbed her hands together after the verdict.

Now the AFL will challenge the tribunal verdict, with the hearing expected to be held on Thursday afternoon or evening.

In handing down the verdict, tribunal chair Renee Enbom KC made it clear that Sheerin would have faced a hefty suspension had she been found guilty of the original intentional charge.

Under the tribunal guidelines, Sheerin was referred directly to the tribunal.

"Had we been satisfied ... that Sheerin had engaged in such conduct, then the sanction would have been a significant one, involving far more than a fine," Enbom said.

The unusual incident involved Sheerin pushing Essendon opponent Georgia Nanscawen at a stoppage, with less than two minutes left of Saturday night's Dreamtime in Darwin draw.

Nanscawen fell over and the umpire, backing away after the throwing up the ball, then fell over the Essendon onballer.

Enbom said Sheerin's evidence was "unequivocal' that she did not mean to push Nanscawen into the umpire.

She added the tribunal was not satisfied Sheerin had intended for the contact to happen.

"Sheerin's explanation of what occurred is not inconsistent with the vision," Enbom said.

"The push does not appear to involve much force. (Nanscawen) awkwardly falls to ground, which may be partly because she was off-balance ... the umpire moves backwards and the collision occurs."

Any ban for Sheerin would be a massive blow for the Tigers, who are sixth and half a game off the double chance with one round before the finals.

Richmond's ladder position will be determined by their home game on Sunday against second-placed Hawthorn. All but one of the games this weekend will shape the top eight.

Sheerin was best afield at the inaugural Dreamtime in Darwin clash and the two-time All-Australian is one of Richmond's most important players.