Victorian County Court judge David Jones is the frontrunner to succeed Brian Collis as chairman of the AFL tribunal, according to a report.

Jones, who has been on the County Court bench since 1986, was recommended to the league by Collis, Channel Seven reported on Tuesday.

Jones was this month appointed as an independent watchdog by the Victorian government to oversee new police powers to fight organised crime.

The AFL declined to comment on the report.

An AFL spokesman said the league was hopeful of appointing Collis's successor next month.

The AFL has already radically revamped its tribunal system for the 2005 season, and will move towards a similar tribunal system to that used in the National Rugby League.

Set penalties will be in place for offences with an aim to reduce the number of tribunal hearings and repeat offenders will be harshly dealt with.

A three-member review panel, to be chaired by former Hawthorn coach Peter Schwab, will determine the fixed penalties for players who don't take their cases to the tribunal.

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