Port Adelaide will accept Ella Heads’ three-match suspension following an incident involving Melbourne’s Eliza McNamara in Sunday’s game at Casey Fields.

The incident occurred during the fourth quarter and was graded by the Match Review Officer as careless conduct, with severe impact and high contact.

Following a review of comparable charges and the applicable AFL grading system, the club’s legal team has determined there are no reasonable grounds to challenge the impact grading or seek a reduction from severe to high.

While the contact was unintentional, Heads elected to make contact after withdrawing from a tackle, resulting in high contact that met the threshold for severe impact under the AFL’s guidelines.

The club has determined an appeal to the AFL Tribunal would have no reasonable prospect of success and will therefore accept the three-match suspension.

Following the game, Heads reached out to McNamara to apologise that the incident resulted in such a serious injury. Heads and the club wish McNamara all the best for her recovery.

Heads will miss Port Adelaide’s next three matches against Sydney, the Western Bulldogs and Adelaide.