THE FIVE Tribunal cases heard in 2016 was an all-time low for the AFL judiciary as clubs became increasingly reluctant to challenge penalties handed down by the Match Review Panel.

The second season under a revamped system introduced by football operations manager Mark Evans has been seen as a success, with players serving a total of 50 weeks suspension (including the NAB Challenge).

That's down from 57 in 2015 and 75 in 2014, with the rate of suspensions decreasing in each of the past four seasons.

The MRP's new penalty structure, which allows for low-level offences to be punished with fines rather than carryover points or suspension, is largely responsible for the dip in the past two seasons.

So how did your club fare in 2016, and what were the big headlines? We look back on each club's season to wrap up the memorable cases, how many weeks your players spent sidelined, and how much your players were left out of pocket.  

Note: Fines are for classifiable offences such as low impact strikes to the body, and not fixed financial sanctions for melees.  

Adelaide

Big case
Rory Sloane was ruled out of Brownlow Medal contention for a spoil gone wrong on Brad Ebert, which left the Power midfielder bloodied. The Crows considered an appeal but the risk of missing a final was too great. 

Charged
Kyle Hartigan (round six) - $1000 for rough conduct on Michael Walters (Fremantle)
Taylor Walker (round 12) - $1000 for striking Luke Shuey (West Coast)
Rory Sloane (round 22) - One week for striking Brad Ebert (Port Adelaide)
Kyle Hartigan (elimination final) - $1500 for tripping Lindsay Thomas (North Melbourne)
Sam Jacobs (semi-final) - $1000 for rough conduct on Ben McGlynn (Sydney Swans) 

Total weeks suspended: One
Total fines: $4500

Brisbane

Big case
A year out of the MRP spotlight for the Lions meant their only suspension came for Tribunal regular Daniel Merrett in his last game. The defender's Tribunal record finished on seven games suspended from seven charges in 200 games. 

Charged
Darcy Gardiner (round four) - $1000 for striking Aaron Hall (Gold Coast)
Tom Bell (round six) - $1000 for striking Jake Lloyd (Sydney Swans)
Dayne Zorko (round 11) - $1000 for striking Dale Thomas (Carlton)   
Tom Rockliff (round 16) - $1000 for striking Aaron Hall (Gold Coast)
Rhys Mathieson (round 18) - $1000 for kneeing Zach Merrett (Essendon)
Nick Robertson (round 19) $1000 for striking Travis Boak (Port Adelaide)
Daniel Merrett (round 23) - Two weeks for striking Shane Savage (St Kilda) 

Total weeks suspended: Two
Total fines: $6000

Carlton

Big case
Levi Casboult's third charge resulted in a one-match suspension after the MRP took a dim view of his 'tummy tap' on Kyle Hartigan. Typically graded low impact, his strike to the defender's stomach was graded medium. 

Charged
Dale Thomas (round seven) - $1000 for striking Alex Fasolo (Collingwood)
Bryce Gibbs (round nine) - $1000 for striking Brent Harvey (North Melbourne)
Levi Casboult (round 11) - $1000 for rough conduct on Mitch Robinson (Brisbane Lions)  
Levi Casboult (round 12) - $1500 for rough conduct on Shane Savage (St Kilda) 
Dale Thomas (round 15) - $1500 for rough conduct on James Aish (Collingwood)
Levi Casboult (round 16) - One week for striking Kyle Hartigan (Adelaide)
Jacob Weitering (round 23) - $1000 for striking Kyle Langford (Essendon) 

Total weeks suspended: One
Total fines: $7000

Collingwood

Big case
A bad record meant Steele Sidebottom had to accept an extra week for his head-high bump on Dan Hannebery in the season opener, sidelining him for two matches. Hannebery was bending down to win the ball when Sidebottom crunched the midfielder.

Charged
Steele Sidebottom (round one) - Two weeks for striking Dan Hannebery (Sydney Swans)
Taylor Adams (round four) - $1000 for rough conduct on James Harmes (Melbourne)
Levi Greenwood (round five) - $1000 for striking Brendon Goddard (Essendon)
Brayden Maynard (round 16) - $1000 for striking Steve Johnson (GWS)
Jonathon Marsh (round 18) - $1000 for striking Luke Shuey (West Coast) 

Total weeks suspended: Two
Total fines: $4000

Essendon

Big case
David Zaharakis was made an example of in round 15 for a 'tummy tap' on Jackson Nelson. A bad medical report meant the strike to Jackson Nelson was graded medium impact, satisfying supporters who had become tired of players intentionally striking opponents and escaping with fines.  

Charged
Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti (round 11) - $1000 for rough conduct on Chris Mayne (Fremantle)
David Zaharakis (round 15) - One week for striking Jackson Nelson (West Coast)
Mark Jamar (round 15) - One week for striking Jeremy McGovern (West Coast) 

Total weeks suspended: Two
Total fines: $1000

Fremantle

Big case
Zac Dawson's ninth career charge resulted in his biggest suspension, three weeks, after he left Jake Lloyd concussed in round 19, sliding into him and landing a high bump. A bad record increased the ban by one week. 

Charged
Lachie Neale (round seven) - $1000 for striking Stephen Coniglio (GWS)
Zac Clarke (round 12) - $1000 for striking Nick Robertson (Brisbane Lions)
Lachie Weller (round 16) - $1000 for forceful front-on contact on Jayden Hunt (Melbourne)
Zac Dawson (round 19) - Three weeks for rough conduct on Jake Lloyd (Sydney Swans)
Matt de Boer (round 23) - $1000 for rough conduct on Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs) 

Total weeks suspended: Three
Total fines: $4000

Geelong

Big case
There was widespread condemnation of the MRP when Tom Hawkins was suspended for striking Phil Davis. The blow to his opponent's chin appeared to have minimal impact and was compared to other hits that were cleared. 

Charged
Tom Hawkins (round 11) - One week for striking Phil Davis (GWS)
Tom Ruggles (qualifying final) - $1000 for striking Cyril Rioli (Hawthorn) 

Total weeks suspended: One
Total fines: $1000

Gold Coast

Big case
Steven May was sent straight to the Tribunal in round four after his sickening bump on Lions ruckman Stefan Martin was graded severe impact. Vision of the incident, which left Martin with concussion, went viral and May walked away with a five-match ban. It marked a new precedent for incidents that result in concussion. 

Charged
Tom Lynch (round one) - $1000 for striking Mark Baguley (Essendon)
Steven May (round four) - Five weeks for striking Stefan Martin (Brisbane Lions)
Tom Lynch (round 11) - $1500 for striking Jeremy Laidler (Sydney Swans) 

Total weeks suspended: Five
Total fines: $2500

GWS

Big case
Veteran Steve Johnson cost his team dearly in the Giants' historic qualifying final, bumping Swan Josh Kennedy and missing a preliminary final as a result. GWS lost a thriller by six points, with their influential small forward on the sidelines.    

Charged
Stephen Coniglio (round seven) - $1000 for striking Lachie Neale (Fremantle)
Adam Tomlinson (round 10) - $1000 for striking Tom Lynch (Adelaide) 
Tom Scully (round 18) - $1000 for striking Kane Mitchell (Port Adelaide)
Steve Johnson (qualifying final) - One week for rough conduct on Josh Kennedy (Sydney Swans)
Rhys Palmer (preliminary final) - $1000 for rough conduct on Fletcher Roberts (Western Bulldogs)
Lachie Whitfield (preliminary final) - $1000 for forceful front-on contact on Josh Dunkley (Western Bulldogs) 

Total weeks suspended: One
Total fines: $5000

Hawthorn

Big case
Cyril Rioli's bump on Clayton Oliver in round 20 was graded low impact in a surprise decision that saw him escape with a $1000 fine. The hit left Oliver dazed on the ground for several seconds and was expected to result in a suspension. 

Charged
Grant Birchall (round three) - $1000 for rough conduct on Jordan Roughead (Western Bulldogs)
Taylor Duryea (round eight) - $1000 for striking Hayden Ballantyne (Fremantle)
Jon Ceglar (round 11) - One week for striking Jesse Hogan (Melbourne)
Daniel Howe (round 13) - $1000 for striking Drew Petrie (North Melbourne)
Luke Hodge (round 17) - $1000 for rough conduct on Callum Sinclair (Sydney Swans)
Cyril Rioli (round 20) - $1000 for rough conduct on Clayton Oliver (Melbourne)
James Sicily (round 20) - One week for striking Bernie Vince (Melbourne)

Total weeks suspended: Two
Total fines: $5000

Melbourne

Big case
Jack Viney landed a flurry of punches on Brad Ebert in round 10, with the MRP picking out the most impactful in handing down a one-match ban. A fractured knuckle meant Viney would have missed anyway. 

Charged
Jeff Garlett (round one) - $1000 for striking Phil Davis (GWS)
Bernie Vince round three) - One week for striking Jamie Macmillan (North Melbourne)  
Neville Jetta (round eight) - One week for striking Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs) 
Cam Pedersen (round eight) - $1500 for rough conduct on Fletcher Roberts (Western Bulldogs)
Jack Viney (round 10) - One week for striking Brad Ebert (Port Adelaide)
Bernie Vince (round 13) - $1000 for rough conduct on Luke Parker (Sydney Swans)
Jesse Hogan (round 17) - $1000 for striking Jarryn Geary (St Kilda)

Total weeks suspended: Three
Total fines: $4500

North Melbourne

Big case
Lindsay Thomas was called out by opponent Marcus Bontempelli after a coat hanger on Bulldog Lachie Hunter in round six that had "quite a bit of malice in it". Described as a tackle gone wrong, Thomas received no favours from the MRP and missed one match. 

Charged
Shaun Atley (round two) - $1000 for striking Pearce Hanley (Brisbane Lions)
Ben Cunnington (round five) - $1000 for rough conduct on Gary Ablett (Gold Coast) 
Lindsay Thomas (round six) - One week for rough conduct on Lachie Hunter (Western Bulldogs)
Scott Thompson (round 12) - $1000 for striking Shane Kersten (Geelong)
Michael Firrito (round 14) - $1000 for striking Mitch McGovern (Adelaide)
Jed Anderson (round 19) - $1000 for rough conduct on Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda)
Jed Anderson (round 20) - $1500 for rough conduct on Lin Jong (Western Bulldogs)
Brent Harvey (round 21) - $1000 for rough conduct on Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn)
Michael Firrito (elimination final) - $1000 for striking Sam Jacobs (Adelaide) 

Total weeks suspended: One
Total fines: $8500

Port Adelaide

Big case
Tom Jonas copped the equal biggest suspension since 2008, missing six weeks for intentionally striking Andrew Gaff with a forearm to the head. He was sent directly to the Tribunal but argued elements of the charge in a move that backfired. 

Charged
Robbie Gray (round four) - $1000 for striking Callan Ward (Greater Western Sydney)
Hamish Hartlett (round four) - $1000 for rough conduct on Ryan Griffen (Greater Western Sydney)
Charlie Dixon (round four) - $1000 for striking Phil Davis (Greater Western Sydney)
Jackson Trengove (round five) - One week for striking Joel Selwood (Geelong)
Robbie Gray (round five) - $1500 for rough conduct on Tom Ruggles (Geelong)
Tom Jonas (round nine) - Six weeks for striking Andrew Gaff (West Coast)
Jackson Trengove (round 10) - $1000 for unnecessary contact to the face of Max Gawn (Melbourne)  
Jay Schulz (round 17) - $1000 for tripping Robbie Tarrant (North Melbourne)

Total weeks suspended: Seven
Total fines: $7500

Richmond

Big case
Alex Rance landed a crude elbow to the back of Jack Watts' head in an incident he described as a "stupid, emotional act" in a public apology. He copped two weeks and hoped the act would not define him.  

Charged
Troy Chaplin (round three) - $1000 for rough conduct on Wayne Milera (Adelaide)  
Alex Rance (round five) - Two weeks for striking Jack Watts (Melbourne) 

Total weeks suspended: Two
Total fines: $1000

St Kilda

Big case
The equal-best behaved club this year, the Saints were out of the spotlight. Jack Newnes might have been lucky to escape a ban for ironing out an unsuspecting Luke Dahlhaus off the ball in round two. 

Charged
Jarryn Geary (round one) - $1000 for rough conduct on Robbie Gray (Port Adelaide)
Jack Newnes (round two) - $1000 for rough conduct on Luke Dahlhaus (Western Bulldogs
Blake Acres (round 20) - $1000 for striking Matthew Kreuzer (Carlton) 

Total weeks suspended: Nil
Total fines: $3000

Sydney Swans

Big case
Ruckman Sam Naismith picked up and dropped Bachar Houli in a dangerous tackle that threatened his finals spot. The tackle was graded as careless conduct allowing him to escape with a fine. 

Charged
Callum Sinclair (round nine) - $1000 for rough conduct on Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn)
Heath Grundy (round 22) - $1000 for rough conduct on Lindsay Thomas (North Melbourne)
Sam Naismith (round 23) - $1000 for rough conduct on Bachar Houli (Richmond) 

Total weeks suspended: -
Total fines: $3000

West Coast

Big case
Scott Lycett exacted revenge for his ruck coach Dean Cox in round four, punching Tiger Ty Vickery in the face. Vickery had clocked Cox in an infamous 2014 incident and Lycett's strike earned him a one-week ban. 

Charged
Scott Lycett (round four) - One week for striking Ty Vickery (Richmond)
Mark LeCras (round 13) - $1000 for striking Claye Beams (Brisbane Lions)
Scott Lycett (round 16) - $1000 for rough conduct on Jack Ziebell (North Melbourne)
Jamie Cripps (round 18) - $1000 for rough conduct on Max Gawn (Melbourne)
Jeremy McGovern (round 18) - $1000 for rough conduct on Dean Kent (Melbourne)  
Simon Tunbridge (round 21) - Two weeks for rough conduct on Matt Kennedy (GWS)
Simon Tunbridge (round 21) - One week for striking Matt Kennedy (GWS) 

Total weeks suspended: Four
Total fines: $4000

Western Bulldogs

Big case
Lin Jong sparked a melee with a high bump on Matt Buntine that left the defender with concussion. Jong was committed to winning the ball and braced for contact when he was beaten to it. There appeared to be no intent but the MRP had little alternative but to suspend him. 

Charged
Matthew Boyd (round eight) - One week for striking Tom Bugg (Melbourne)
Jack Redpath (round eight) - One week for kneeing Ben Kennedy (Melbourne) 
Lin Jong (round nine) - Two weeks for forceful front-on contact on Matt Buntine (GWS) 

Total weeks suspended: Four
Total fines: -