Something needed to be done as the tribunal had become a joke last year with its consistent inconsistency
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These are the changes to the tribunal system:
- A three-man match review panel will be introduced, which will consider all reports laid by umpires over the weekend as well as those laid by the AFL investigators, video review officer and the AFL Football Operations Manager. The panel would be comprised of retired AFL players, coaches and umpires.
- Players will be able to accept a set penalty rather than endure a tribunal hearing, if they wish. The AFL will introduce a table of offences, detailing specific penalties for specific charges.
- A tribunal chairman will control the hearings, supported by a three-man jury, again comprised of former players. The chairman will control the hearing and discuss matters of law, while the jury will determine the innocence or guilt of a player and the length of suspension.
- The days of the players’ code are over, with victim players only required to attend the tribunal and give evidence with the permission of the tribunal chairman.
- Clubs will be able to choose their own tribunal advocates, including legal representation.
- The cost of appeals hearings will be reduced by two thirds to $5000, with a refund of $2500 if the appeal is successful. However, appeals will only be allowed if a player feels there is a flaw in the tribunal's outcome.
- Melees and wrestling fines will be added to the list of penalties with set monetary penalties.
- The rules surrounding public comment on tribunal outcomes will be relaxed, with only ‘personal’ and ‘offensive’ remarks set to be acted upon by the AFL.
