AFL scraps Match Review Panel in sweeping changes to system

The AFL has scrapped the Match Review Panel.

Michael Christian has been installed as the league’s sole match review officer.

In other changes, Thursday and Friday night games will be reviewed within 24 hours, rather than Monday.

The one-match discount on offer for early pleas has been scrapped.

Players no longer risk an extra week challenging bans, with clubs instead forced to stump up $10,000 for unsuccessful appeals.

Former MRP member Jimmy Bartel said he was impressed by the changes, bar one small thing.

“I didn’t mind having a bad record carry weight because you need to have some sort of punishment if you’re a repeat offender,” he said.

“But I guess the trade off was the early plea being taken away.

“Look, that’s only picking at it for the sake of it. I think it’s pretty fair.”

Click PLAY below to hear Jimmy’s thoughts

Fellow 3AW commentator Matthew Lloyd also welcomed the changes.

“There’s been so much discontent with what’s gone on in the past,” Lloydy said on 3AW Drive.

“The game has gone too far people to be part-time to decide on penalties.

“Hopefully we find the consistency that has been missing in the past few years.”

Click PLAY below to hear 3AW’s Matthew Lloyd’s take on the changes

Sportsday spoke with AFL operations boss Steven Hocking