THE AFL will consider introducing a red-card rule for the 2019 season to deal with violent non-football actions such as Andrew Gaff's hit on Andrew Brayshaw.
As part of several proposals relating to the Match Review process that are set to be presented to the AFL Commission during the summer, the AFL may consider using an in-game video referral system to decide whether an incident is worthy of a red card.
Under the system, players may be sent to a 'sin bin' for a set period of time while the incident is assessed by an independent officer.
As an alternative to red cards, the League will also consider allowing teams a substitute player to replace those who have been forced out of a game due to a non-football action.
Brayshaw was left with a badly broken jaw and three displaced teeth following his round 20 incident involving Gaff, while the Eagle was suspended for eight weeks and missed out on playing in West Coast's premiership win over Collingwood in the Grand Final.
It led to questions regarding whether a red card system should be adopted in the AFL.
Former Melbourne forward Tom Bugg's unprovoked punch that concussed Sydney's Callum Mills last year is another example of a non-football act that could warrant a red card.
However incidents like Jeremy Cameron's hit on Harris Andrews, which occurred in a marking contest, remain a grey area that the League acknowledges will need further discussion.
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AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan publicly stated his opposition to red cards in early August, but the League is set to at least discuss the prospect of a send-off rule during the off-season.
Other topics likely to be presented to the AFL Commission include a crackdown on incidental umpire contact, particularly at centre bounces, with free kicks likely to be paid in addition to fines dished out by Match Review Officer Michael Christian later in the week.
A stricter application of laws relating to head clashes and front-on bumps will also be considered, as well as for intentional strikes to the body.
All proposals are likely to be submitted to the AFL Commission during the summer, with a final decision not expected before December.
