THE AFL has asked for feedback from clubs on whether club-imposed suspensions for on-field indiscretions should be added to a player's official tribunal record.
The League's annual tribunal review, being conducted by game analysis manager Joel Bowden, has also asked for submissions on a range of other topics.
These include whether sliding feet-first into a contest should become a reportable offence, whether enough has been done to combat staging and whether the penalties for misconduct offences are appropriate.
The matter of club-imposed suspensions relates to cases like that of Western Bulldogs ruckman Will Minson, who was banned by his club for one game in June after he inappropriately sledged Port Adelaide's Danyle Pearce.
But the suspension does not appear on Minson's tribunal record, meaning he escapes a loading for having a bad record if he is booked by the Match Review Panel in the future.
"As part of our annual review, it is the AFL's view there were a number of situations from the 2012 year that are worth re-examining and asking our clubs if we should consider any changes under our rules," the League's general manager of football operations, Adrian Anderson, said on Monday.
The tribunal review topics raised for discussion by the AFL are:
Sliding feet first to contest the ball. Is there any need to create a reportable offence for sliding into a contest feet/legs first that results in forceful contact to an opponent, or does the paying of free kicks adequately protect players?
Forceful contact below the knees. The Laws process is considering whether sliding or diving into a contest (regardless of feet/knees first or not) below an opponent's knees should be a free kick. Should this contact also be reportable if there is sufficient force?
Player prior poor record. A player currently receives a 10 per cent loading for each one-match ban for offences during the past three AFL years and is capped at 50 per cent. Is the loading system appropriate? Does the system adequately consider whether a player is a repeat offender or one-off offender? How long should a loading apply for? Should it only apply for more serious offences, and how should it be based?
Player good record. Is the current system appropriate in determining a good record? Should a player who has been sanctioned by his club for an on-field act maintain a good record?
Misconduct offences. Are the current point penalties for misconduct offences appropriate?
Head clashes. Is the current approach to head clashes, where contact is caused by circumstances outside a player's control, appropriate?
Rough conduct bumps and 'realistic alternative'. An exception to the strict liability against high bumps is where a player was contesting the ball and did not have a realistic alternative way to contest the ball. This mirrors the head over the ball rule. How should this be applied?
Staging. Has the approach been strict enough, with sufficient disincentive, to discourage staging?
Suspensions and how they apply to NAB Cup. Current AFL policy is that if a player is suspended in the premiership season, a suspension must be served in the premiership season and not the NAB Cup. A NAB Cup suspension must be served immediately and may flow into the premiership season. Should this policy continue to apply in this way?
Instigator of a melee. The instigator of a melee is often also charged with being engaged in a melee. Some clubs view this approach, with two charges, as harsh. Should this change?
Allegations made against another player at a tribunal hearing. Should a requirement be added that if a club, in defending a charge, is going to make an allegation about the conduct of another player, that player can be available if necessary as a matter of fairness?
The clubs can also raise any topics that they wish to have looked at as part of their discussions with Bowden.
Their submissions to the review are due by September 19.
<span>AFL</span> questions 'good records'
THE AFL has asked for feedback from clubs on whether club-imposed suspensions for on-field indiscretions should be added to a player's official tribunal record.