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AFL Tribunal System 2012

The AFL Commission had approved some minor changes to the game’s judicial process for 2012, as part of the annual Tribunal Review.
 
As part of the annual review of the Tribunal system and Match Review Process, the AFL requested feedback from all 17 clubs, the AFLPA and AFLUA.

The changes made for the 2012 year have been centred around further ensuring the safety of players at all times, with sufficient penalties for any illegal behaviour outside the laws of the game or the spirit of the game.

In 2011, the key results of the Tribunal and MRP system were as follows:
 
·         92 per cent of players accepted Match Review Panel charges – the highest percentage since the system was introduced for the 2005 season.
·         Only 15 Tribunal hearings compared with 123 in the last year of the previous system (2004).
·         Three cases not sustained at Tribunal – 40 in 2004
·         47 players suspended – 57 in 2004
·         72 matched lost through suspension – 117 in 2004
·         $92,600 in fines - $223,100 in 2004

For 2012, the Commission approved the following recommendations:
 
Striking and Behind Play Incidents
-          Change to Tribunal guidelines around impact to ensure that any reckless or intentional strikes which are inherently dangerous and / or have the potential to cause serious injury will not be classified as ‘low’ impact and will be given a higher impact rating than other offences;
-          Change to Tribunal guidelines around intent to ensure that any striking action with a raised forearm or elbow will be classified as intentional, unless there is clear evidence the strike was not intentional;
-          Changes to Tribunal guidelines around intent to ensure that any striking action that occurs behind play, off the ball or during a break in play will be classified as intentional, unless there is clear evidence the strike was not intentional.
 
Rough Conduct (Tackles)
-          Amend the guidelines to better distinguish between negligent and reckless dangerous tackles by including relevant factors such as lifting a player off the ground and using a double action in the tackle.
 
Staging
-          MRP instructed to be more stringent on staging, with excessive exaggeration of contact in an unsportsmanlike manner to be a reportable offence in addition to feigning contact.

Review the 2012 Tribunal Handbook below.

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