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

Richmond received a huge boost ahead of the final on Tuesday night when the tribunal declared their midfield ace not guilty of intentional contact with the referee for pushing Essendon’s Georgia Nanscawen into the path of a referee.

Instead, Sheerin pleaded guilty to careless touching and was fined $200 after court deliberations lasted 90 minutes.

Sheerin smiled and rubbed his hands after the verdict.

The AFL will now challenge the tribunal’s verdict and the hearing is expected to take place on Thursday afternoon or evening.

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

As per the court’s guidelines, Sheerin was referred directly to the court.

“If we had been satisfied… that Sheerin had engaged in such conduct, then the sanction would have been significant, involving much more than a fine,” Enbom said.

The unusual incident involved Sheerin pushing Essendon’s opponent Nanscawen into a stoppage with less than two minutes left in Saturday night’s Dreamtime in Darwin draw.

Nanscawen fell and the referee, stepping back after throwing the ball, fell on top of the Essendon player.

Enbom said Sheerin’s evidence was “unequivocal” that he did not intend to push Nanscawen before the referee.

He added that the court was not convinced that Sheerin had intended for the contact to occur.

“Sheerin’s explanation of what happened is not inconsistent with the vision,” Enbom said.

“The push does not appear to involve much force. (Nanscawen) falls awkwardly to the ground, which may be partly due to her being off balance…the referee moves backwards and the collision occurs.”

On Thursday, Nanscawen said it was not his place to give his opinion on the collision and he would leave that to the AFL.

“They haven’t asked me to comment on it, so I’ll let them do what they want,” he said.

“Obviously contact with the referee has been a big focus this season.

“So yeah, I’ll let them discuss it.”

But Nanscawen did recall the incident amid “two chaotic minutes” as Essendon tried to claim victory.

“I remember contacting the referee and I didn’t know what that would mean,” he added.

“So yeah, we’ll see what happens… and we’ll let them discuss it.”

Any suspension for two-time Australian Sheerin would be a blow to the Tigers, who are sixth and a half-game away from a double chance with one round remaining.

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