Our Position: Tribunal Review

Following is a basic summary of the views expressed by the PA following consultation with players and feedback from the AFL regarding the areas it is looking at.

“Staging

• No noticeable increase in “staging” act
• MRP already has the power to deal with these acts appropriately, therefore there is no need for system to be changed
   

Tribunal Coverage

• Players’ are concerned regarding the “live” online coverage of Tribunal hearings
   

Umpire Contact

• Players’ continue to support reasonable measures to protect umpires from incidental contact on flied following significant increase in 2011
• Improved education should be focus of AFL given that financially sanctioning players is clearly not working 
   

Rough Conduct – Dangerous Tackles

• Players’ are confused as to what the MRP considers a dangerous tackle (57% of players)
• Categorisation of dangerous tackles should remain, with precedent evidence being introduced to assist in achieving fairness and consistency before Tribunal 
• Grading of rough conduct charges should be downgraded to ensure proportionality with the incident that occurs
   

Striking behind the play

• In return for agreement on dangerous tackles, support increased grading of these offences
   

Precedent evidence

• Reiterated long standing position (supported by 91% of players) that player confidence in Tribunal system would be significantly enhanced if players could rely on precedence evidence in some capacity
• Proposed that players be able to rely on similar fact evidence from the relevant season of the incident, albeit on a controlled and limited basis