NETBALL legend Sharelle McMahon has been named to sit on the newly formed AFL Women's Match Review Panel.
The former Australian netball captain is one of six AFLW MRP members, including current men's panellist Michael Christian and ex-St Kilda captain and Collingwood premiership player Luke Ball.
The panel will also be drawn from AFL staff Jennie Loughnan, Patrick Clifton and Ali Gronow.
Meanwhile, the AFLW Tribunal/jury will be chaired by AFL Tribunal chair David Jones or deputy chairman Ross Howie, supported by the current AFL Tribunal jury members.
The MRP and Tribunal process for the AFLW is set to operate along the same lines as the AFL, but with some key differences:
- There will be no fines dished out due to the League not yet being fully professional, with all offences either receiving reprimands or suspensions.
- Contact in AFLW will be graded in categories of either body or high/groin/chest, with the sensitivity of the chest taken into account for women's matches.
- A player who receives a second reprimand – instead of three for the men's competition – for the same type of offence during the season will be suspended for one match.
As per the AFL system, offences will be classified as intentional or careless.
Impact will also still be graded as low, medium, high or severe.
And a previous suspension of at least two matches will result in an additional one-game loading for any further offence drawing a suspension of two matches or more.
"The AFLW will operate with a full Match Review and Tribunal system to ensure that the skills of the players can be showcased and their safety can be protected," general manager game and market development Simon Lethlean said.
"The key focus was to ensure that the implications for any illegal play are clearly understood by both players and clubs and the fans watching our games.
"The League is not yet fully professional, with a seven-week season, and therefore we have acknowledged that by determining that players will not face financial sanctions as happens in the AFL for low level offences, such as wrestling/melee offences.
"In the AFLW in respect of low level offences, a player will be eligible for a reprimand at the first offence and any second subsequent offence during the competition would see the player liable for suspension.
"In recent years, the AFL has simplified the MRP process so all players, coaches and fans can understand the offence and plea process, with an easier to understand table of offences and categories.
"It was important to us that this was also used in AFLW."
