AFL might hit repeat offenders harder
The AFL is weighing up whether to increase tribunal penalties for serial offenders, a move that would ramp up the pressure on temperamental Western Bulldogs star recruit Barry Hall.
Under the current tribunal system, penalties are increased for prior offenders, but the maximum is 50 per cent for players suspended for more than five matches in the previous three years.
The league has asked clubs for feedback on whether that cap provides a sufficient deterrent.
Former Sydney premiership star Hall, last week traded to the Bulldogs, would be one player liable to be hit with a bigger penalty for any future offences if that change occurred.
He will enter the 2010 season with suspensions totalling 10 matches hanging over his head.
He was banned for seven games for a huge hit on then-West Coast defender Brent Staker in 2008, as well as a one-match sanction later that year for attempting to strike Collingwood's Shane Wakelin.
Hall was then hit with a two-match ban this year for hitting Adelaide's Ben Rutten, an incident which ended his Swans career.
Upon joining the Bulldogs last week, Hall said he was confident he could keep his infamous temper in check, but added: "I can't promise anything".
The AFL is also putting several other aspects of the tribunal system under scrutiny as part of their annual review.
They include looking at whether players who obviously stage for free kicks should be fined.
The league is also considering whether to ease the eligibility criteria for the Brownlow Medal, to allow players who have committed offences which earn only a reprimand to remain in contention.
They are also looking at whether current penalties punishing unreasonable contact to the face are appropriate.
Carlton captain Chris Judd was a notable offender under that charge, copping a three-match ban for contact to Brisbane's Michael Rischitelli in the Blues' elimination final loss last month.
The club unsuccessfully appealed that decision.
The AFL will also assess their sanctions for umpire contact and for dangerous sling tackles.
Other issues to be looked at are whether to have three regular tribunal members, rather than a rotating panel, and whether incidents in intraclub practice matches should be covered by the tribunal system.
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