AFL cracks down on cheats * Finn Bradshaw
* From: Herald Sun
* February 02, 2010PLAYERS who stage for free kicks will now face a fine from the AFL under changes to the tribunal system.
Staging is now a reportable offence and players found guilty of it will receive a reprimand for this first offence, a $1600 fine for a second time and $2400 for a third offence.
The AFL has also changed rules to protect the man on the mark, to protect against the sling tackle and changed the eye gouging charge to cover the "eye region".
The rough conduct guidelines now specifically refer to sling and spear tackles.
The league says there was a trend last year for an opponent to bump the man on the mark with excessive force and this now also comes under rough conduct.
Only 68 player-games were lost through suspension last year, the lowest total since 1985.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/afl-cracks-down-on-staging/story-e6frf9jf-1225825833622