The AFL will consider introducing the red-card rule for the 2019 season, according AFL.com.au.
The report states the red cards will be used for “violent non-football actions”, with an in-game video referral system a possibility to help determine incidents worthy of a send-off.
Under the system, players would be sent to the 'sin bin' for a period of time while the incident is assessed by an independent officer.
As an alternative to red-cards, the AFL will also consider allowing teams a substitute player to replace a played forced out of the game due to a non-football action.
The red-card rule has been hotly debated since Fremantle's Andrew Brayshaw was left with a badly broken jaw and three displaced teeth following a round 20 incident involving West Coast's Andrew Gaff.
Former Melbourne forward Tom Bugg's unprovoked punch on Callum Mills last year would also warrant a red card under the proposed system.
However incidents such as Jeremy Cameron's hit on Harris Andrews, which occurred in a marking contest may not be given a red-card.
All proposals are likely to be submitted to the AFL Commission during the summer, with a final decision not expected before December.