After the AFL changed the Match Review Panel to a single Match Review Officer in Michael Christian in late 2017, many expected a more clear and concise adjudication system in 2018.
However, these decisions caused real controversy among the public this season.
Here are some of the incidents that had the whole footy world talking!
6. Ryan Burton's bump on Shaun Higgins
Higgins was on the receiving end again in this incident, being blindsided by Ryan Burton who elected to bump.
Hoping for the best for Shaun Higgins and Ed Vickers-Willis.
Higgins was taken off on a stretcher and Vickers-Willis has headed to the rooms.
Update thanks to @MLC_Australia. #AFLNorthHawks pic.twitter.com/VLVJATO9jm
— AFL (@AFL) April 22, 2018
Christian elected not to suspend Burton for the incident, which left Higgins with a broken jaw stating, "he couldnโt reasonably foresee that there was going to be an accidental clash of heads.''
Many expected Burton to miss multiple weeks for the hit, including Nick Dal Santo and AFL 360 co-host Mark Robinson.
โ"What constitutes (that) a player can reasonably foresee a head clash? I tell you what, you can reasonably foresee it if you choose to bump and not tackle. That increases the threshold of reasonably foresee," Robinson said.
"Iโll be honest, I nearly fell off my chair when it (Burtonโs clearance) came through today. I went "youโre kidding".''
