The AFL has tightened its rules around head-high contact for 2022, with more suspensions likely to be given out under tweaks for the Match Review and Tribunal.
Previously when a high bump or front-on contact occurred, “strong consideration” had to be given to the potential to cause injury. New for next season, the potential to cause injury must be factored into the impact grading.
It means, as with striking charges, any high contact with the potential to cause injury will “usually” be classified as either medium, high or severe impact - not low impact.
A medium impact grading along with careless conduct and high contact results in a one-match suspension.
There were several cases during the 2021 season which caused confusion, such as Joel Selwood’s late-season high bump on GWS defender Sam Taylor.
The Cats captain avoided suspension because it was graded as low impact. He would likely have copped a one-week ban under the 2022 regulations.
Among other changes, AFL QC Jeff Gleeson has been elevated to the Chairperson of the Tribunal - replacing David Jones and Ross Howie - while Renee Enbom QC will be Deputy Chairperson. She will chair AFLW Tribunal hearings.
There have also been tweaks to the rules around umpire contact, with more specifics around the severity of the required penalty.
When Toby Greene was referred to the Tribunal for his elimination final bump on umpire Matt Stevic, there was limited guidance given on the punishment, and the initial three-week ban was lifted to six weeks at an AFL Appeals Board hearing.
FULL AFL STATEMENT
The AFL today wrote to all Clubs and the AFLPA to advise the AFL Commission had approved recommendations presented to it at its December meeting.
The Commission had considered recommendations to the AFL and AFL Women’s Match Review and Tribunal Guidelines following an in-depth review of each system, which included canvassing the views of key stakeholders and industry groups.
AFL & AFLW Match Review / Tribunal:
The Commission approved the following recommendations relating to the Match Review and Tribunal process to ensure the systems, guidelines and interpretations continue to evolve with the trends of the game.
The amendments are as follows:
1. Head high contact
Previously under the AFL & AFLW Regulations, “strong consideration” was required to be given to the potential to cause injury in certain circumstances. Regulations have therefore been amended as follows:
The potential to cause injury must be factored into the determination of Impact; and
Notwithstanding any other provision of the AFL / AFLW Regulations, any Careless or Intentional Forceful Front-On Conduct or Rough Conduct (High Bumps) where High Contact has been made and that has the potential to cause injury will usually be classified as either Medium, High or Severe Impact (i.e. not Low Impact) even though the extent of the actual physical impact may be low (e.g. the victim player has suffered no apparent injury). This reflects the approach that currently applies to the Impact determination for strikes.
The result of this change will be that, where there is Careless Conduct that is High Contact and has the potential to cause injury, a Medium Impact classification will usually apply, and a one match suspension will be the minimum sanction applied.
2. Sanction for intentional contact with an umpire
The AFL and AFLW Regulations have been amended to require the Tribunal to have regard to the number elements of the offence (aggressive, forceful, demonstrative and/or disrespectful) which are established in determining the sanction for Intentional Contact with an Umpire with the result that the more elements that are present the harsher the sanction that may be imposed.
Previously, the AFL and AFLW Regulations provided that contact with an Umpire that is aggressive, forceful, demonstrative or disrespectful will be deemed intentional and the Player will be directly referred to the Tribunal with no further guidance included as to the sanction that should be imposed.
3. Fixed Financial Offence – Careless Contact with an Umpire
The AFL and AFLW Regulations provide that a player may be charged with the offence of Careless Contact with an Umpire by directly pushing an opponent into an Umpire or their direct path. Both Regulations have been amended to provide that a player may also be charged with the offence of Careless Contact with an Umpire by holding (in addition to pushing) an opponent into an umpire or their direct path.
4. Fixed Financial Offence – Tripping
Tribunal Guidelines have been amended to provide that:
It is open to the MRO to charge a player with Tripping where it is satisfied that a Reportable Offence was committed, replacing the requirement that the MRO be satisfied that the intention was to commit an act constituting a Reportable Offence (i.e. a careless trip is now sanctionable, when previously it was not subject to a sanction); and
Where minor contact is made (in addition to where no contact is made), the MRO can charge a player with an Attempt to Trip.
5. Structure of the Tribunal
The Tribunal has previously been comprised of a Chairperson and a three-member Jury of former players. The Rules have been amended so that the Tribunal will be made up of one Chairperson and two Tribunal Jury Members, the three of whom will be responsible for determining the decision of the Tribunal.
The AFL advises Jeff Gleeson QC has been appointed to the role of Chairperson of the Tribunal while Renee Enbom QC has been appointed as the Deputy Chairperson of the Tribunal. Renee will Chair AFLW Tribunal hearings as may be required when the season commences on January 7, 2022.
The AFL thanks long-serving Chairpersons David Jones and Ross Howie SC for their many years of exceptional service as the Chairs of the AFL Tribunal.
