NAT FYFE says the direction the Match Review Panel was taking the game last season was "almost ridiculous" and he is glad that changes have been implemented.
Fremantle's star midfielder was suspended for four matches last season for two separate incidents that almost cost him the Brownlow medal.
Fyfe copped a two-match ban for a bump on Gold Coast's Michael Rischitelli. The bump caused a head clash between the pair that left the veteran Sun with a cut head.
Under the 2014 MRP system the player electing to bump was deemed strictly liable for a sanction for damage caused.
But the MRP has softened that stance on head clashes this year.
"I'm really glad," Fyfe said.
"It's been a really pragmatic way of dealing with the way our game's going. There's so much contact.
"There's so much scrutiny now on players with camera angles from every different position, it was almost ridiculous the way the game was going with the tribunal.
"They've been really sensible. I think it's a lot fairer."
Fyfe could potentially be cleared if he is involved in a similar head clash incident this season but any ruling will be determined by the circumstances and level of impact.
However, Fyfe would receive the same two-week penalty for the off-the-ball strike he landed on Hawthorn's Jordan Lewis in round 21 last season.
Fyfe could not get that sentence reduced due to carry-over points.
The carry-over points system has been scrapped. However, players who have been suspended for two matches or more in the last two seasons will receive an additional one-match ban on top of any sanction handed down by the MRP.
The star Docker said he would need to keep his cool in matches this season.
"I do need to have better preparation when dealing with attention," Fyfe said.
"I know it's going to come but you've seen stars like (Gary) Ablett and (Chris) Judd dealing with it their whole careers.
"It's nothing new to me but I just need to be able to keep my cool for a whole game.
"And also hopefully with the tinkering of the Match Review Panel rulings this year it's going to help me out."
Fyfe was the captains' pick for the Brownlow medal this year and the reigning AFL Players' Association MVP said he was humbled by the vote but felt there were a few other medal fancies.
"I think Gary Ablett and Joel Selwood and a couple of the guys here might have something to say about that," Fyfe said.
"But it's certainly humbling."