The AFL have approved two amendments for the AFL Tribunal Guidelines in relation to dangerous contact effective immediately, providing the Match Review Officer the ability to take the potential of injury into account when grading the consequence of the incident.
AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan said that while the current framework for the MRO had been strong, the league identified that the framework around dangerous tackles and contact could be improved in order to adjudicate incidents appropriately.
"After reviewing the decision and the current adjudicating framework in place, the Match Review Officer's findings were appropriate, however, it has become obvious that the framework in which the MRO works relating to dangerous tackles requires strengthening," Mr. McLachlan said.
"We want to be clear; protection of the head is our highest priority and we want all players at all levels and age groups to better understand that these tackles shouldn't be part of our game.
"Dangerous tackles have the potential to cause head injuries, and it is essential that this is taken into account when assessing an incident under the AFL Tribunal guidelines."
In doing so the AFL have amended Tribunal Guideline section 4.2(B) Impact (Potential to Cause Injury) to broaden its application.
"Spear tackle" and "driving an opponent into the ground when his arms are pinned" will now be replaced by "any dangerous tackle".
While section 4.3(E)(3) Rough Conduct (Dangerous Tackles) has been amended to include a scenario where a single arm is pinned in a tackle creating vulnerability.
The amendments come after Hawthorn player Shaun Burgoyne was found guilty for engaging in rough conduct in Round 2, however, his $1000 sanction remains in place and he is available for selection in Round 3.