The AFL is expected to reduce the fines players receive from the Match Review Officer for on-field offences.
More than 300 charges were handed down by the MRO last year, a sharp rise on year-on-year comparisons as 2023's tally reached 206 charges.
Charges of Engaging in a Melee/Wrestle and Careless Contact with an Umpire were among the most popular charges during last year, with a crackdown hurting the hip pocket of the AFL's players.
Port Adelaide star Zak Butters paid $30,000 in MRO fines alone in 2024 from a total of eight charges spanning offences for Rough Conduct, Engaging in a Melee/Wrestle, Striking and Careless Contact with an Umpire.
2023 No.1 pick Harley Reid forked up $11,250 in his debut season alone from six financial sanctions, all of which were for either Engaging in a Melee/Wrestle or Careless Contact with an Umpire. Reid was also handed a two-game suspension for Rough Conduct.
$570,000 in fines were paid by AFL players during the 2024 season from 276 charges, with money from that tally going toward concussion research.
"We've had an issue with the level of the fines, that'd something we've been talking to the league about," AFLPA CEO Paul Marsh toldย 7 News.ย
"We've had some movement in the right direction around that.
"Our view is that the league should be investing in concussion irrespective of the fines. We've still got some work to do around concussion, there's no bigger issue in our game at the moment.
"We've made some progress, but there's still some work to be done."
The AFL is yet to confirm any changes to the financial impact of on-field fines for the 2025 season.
