AFL footy operations manager Steve Hocking has released a number of “key changes” to the way the Match Review Panel will work in 2018, including…
– Moving to a single decision maker model — instead of panel of former players. Michael Christian has been installed as the league’s sole match review officer.
– Thursday and Friday games to be reviewed within 24 hours.
– One-match discount for early pleas has been scrapped.
– Players no longer risk an extra week challenging bans, with clubs instead forced to pay $10,000 for unsuccessful appeals.
– Three low-level offences in a season will no longer result in an automatic one-match suspension, with a fine now applicable for the third offence.
– Cases referred directly to the Tribunal will attract at least a three-week suspension save for exceptional circumstances.
– Staging will now attract a fine for a first offence.
– Automatic loading for players with bad records has been scrapped.
– Fines for low-level offences will increase from $2000 to $3000 for first offences, $3000 to $5000 for second offences and $5000 to $8000 for third offences.
Watch LIVE as AFL footy boss Steve Hocking faces the media to reveal MRP changes. https://t.co/bP41MRDEY2
— AFL.com.au (@AFLcomau) December 14, 2017
