Players cited by the Match Review Panel on a Thursday or Friday night will have their cases heard within 24 hours, the AFL announced today, as part of a review of the system ahead of 2018.

The expedited hearings are just one of a range of changes approved by the AFL commission this week, including the move to a single decision maker, following a detailed review of the MRP process at the end of the 2017 season.  

“Since its introduction more than a decade ago, replacing the system where all incidents were heard by the AFL Tribunal, the MRP has greatly simplified the overall process, whereby penalties are structured and players have the ability to accept a lesser sanction and avoid a Tribunal hearing for lower-level incidents,” said AFL General Manager Football Operations Steve Hocking said.

“It has remained though through the recent 2017 season that were was regular public uncertainty on the rationale for key decisions, with only a small number of incidents receiving an explanation or assessed via a full open examination at the AFL Tribunal.”

The key changes:

  • Move to a single decision maker model for the Match Review Panel, instead of using a panel of former players
  • The trial of expedited outcomes in 2018 by adjudicating Thursday and Friday matches within 24 hours
  • Increase to the quantum of low-level financial sanctions and remove the third low-level offence equating to a one-match suspension, replacing it with a larger fine
  • Remove the one-match discount for an early plea, and replace it with a $10,000 club cost in the event the charge is unsuccessfully challenged
  • Remove the automatic bad record loading but retain the discretion of the MRP to refer any incident to the Tribunal on account of poor player record (where it can be considered in the final sanction)
  • Retain the current threshold for Brownlow ineligibility, whereby a one-match suspension rules a player out of the award (A financial sanction only for a player means he remains eligible for the Medal)
  • Clarify that ‘exemplary record’ refers to matches played at AFL/state league level only
  • Modify the Table of Offences such that the sanction for direct referrals is specified to be at least three matches
  • Amend staging to a financial sanction for a first offence under the same criteria as other fixed financial sanctions
  • Appeals of Tribunal determinations be limited to the player/person who is the subject of the charge and the AFL GMFO
  • Retain the current system for umpire match day reports but do not compel their attendance at Tribunal hearings
  • Continue to utilise ‘Misconduct’ or ‘Attempt to Strike’ to financially sanction strikes to the head with negligible force

Former Collingwood premiership player Michael Christian has been appointed to the role as the single Match Review Official to review all offences.