In short:

Brisbane Broncos NRLW star Ali Brigginshaw was sent to the sin bin for a lifting tackle on Canterbury's Tayla Preston.

Brigginshaw, in her last year of playing NRLW, has been referred straight to the judiciary.

What's next?

Brigginshaw will enter her plea on a grade three dangerous throw charge at the judiciary on Tuesday night. 

Brisbane Broncos NRLW star Ali Brigginshaw is facing the prospect of a lengthy stint on the sidelines after being referred straight to the judiciary for a lifting tackle during last weekend's Magic Round.

The Broncos remained unbeaten and on top of the ladder with a commanding 34-4 victory over the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, but the win was soured by Brigginshaw's first-half tackle on Bulldogs halfback Tayla Preston.

Brigginshaw was sent to the sin bin after her tackle on Preston, where the Bulldogs player was swung around and lifted before being driven into the ground head-first.

Preston avoided serious injury, and Brigginshaw was handed a grade three dangerous throw charge.

The 36-year-old, who is playing her final season of NRLW before retirement, has never missed a Broncos game since the competition's inception in 2018.

She will argue her case at the judiciary on Tuesday, where she could face a significant ban.

Sydney Roosters forward Aliyah Nasio was the last NRLW player to be referred directly to the judiciary following a brawl at the conclusion of last year's grand final, where she struck Brisbane's Julia Robinson.

Nasio was banned for four matches after being hit with a grade three striking charge.

Brisbane, reigning NRLW premiers, faces Canberra this week, followed by a grand final rematch with the Roosters, then a derby against the Gold Coast Titans.