In a newly revamped tribunal system, all punching incidents will either result in a fine or a suspension. The revamped system sees punches to the head are now penalised with larger fines and suspensions whereas punches to the stomach now results in fines starting at $3000.
With all players now on notice, new sole member of the tribunal, Michael Christian, has warned that even punches that aren't graded hard enough for a low level offense will be regarded and charged under the misconduct provision in order to stamp punching out of the game, in another radical change to the tribunal system that has put all players on notice.
โThe first thing to say is the AFL want punching out of the game,โ Christian said.
โWe have grappled with the line as to what is enough force for low impact. Where does that line sit?
โWe will be telling players if you punch and it doesnโt quite get to low impact potentially you will be fined under misconduct provisions.
โFor a whole range of reasons we want to get rid of punching from the game. The message when we go and see the clubs is donโt do it.
โIf you do it and it doesnโt get to low impact, we are still going to get you.โ
In more changes to the system, deliberation of conducts that occur on Thursday and Friday night games will now be revealed the following day at around 4-5pm, where the introduction of Saturday's deliberations being announced on Sundays is on the cards, expected to be trialed in the 2019 season.
Clubs are also now at risk of losing $1,000 if they are unsuccessful at the tribunal, however no additional suspension can be given to the player challenging if clubs do decide to challenge.
New football operations boss, Steve Hocking, gave his take on the new tribunal system.
โI think itโs about sportsmanship. Itโs about care of one another and demonstration of that all the way back through the junior programs," Christian said.
โNothing wrong with a bit of sportsmanship, itโs healthy.โ
Hocking also revealed there will now be a greater focus on staging in our game. After last year's reluctance to penalise or warn Alex Rance and Clayton Oliver for staging chargers as they believed there was a form of contact involved with the punch.
Hocking has warned that โitโs something we will have to keep an eye onโ. Players can be fined for exaggerate conduct, which means all player are on notice from now on.
