League likely to stick with current Match Review Panel set-up
THE MATCH Review Panel is set to proceed without drastic changes in 2014 as the AFL undertakes a longer-term review of the contentious system.
Football operations manager Mark Evans led a working group during the off-season that explored new options for the current system, which is based on demerit points.
However, the NAB Challenge started on February 12 under the same guidelines that were in place for 2013, leaving the League no room to trial any major changes before the new home and away season.
Rather than an overhaul, minor amendments to the panel and Tribunal are expected for 2014, with more significant changes to be examined as the season unfolds.
"We are considering some changes," Evans said ahead of the NAB Challenge.
"It might be that we take a longer-term view of that and assess it across a full season before any major changes comes through, but there might some amendments to that system."
Clubs were briefed in December on possible changes to the system, while the AFL Players' Association has been represented on the Evans-led working group.
One change floated was referring to matches rather than the demerit points currently used when deciding penalties.
It was also proposed an infringement that draws a free kick would be negligent while a reckless act would be something players strongly opposed, giving more clarity between the two categories.
The League was expected to brief clubs this week on the amendments for 2014.
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