What changed in the AFL Tribunal system for 2026?

Q: What changed in the AFL Tribunal system for 2026?

The 2026 AFL Tribunal Guidelines list seven changes: Intentional strikes: an intentional strike to a player's body or head will usually be graded Medium Impact at a minimum (at least a one-match suspension), rather than Low Impact. Concussion: an intentional or careless act causing a concussion will usually be graded Severe Impact, but a lesser grading (High or Medium) may be used for a careless act where the observable level of force is more consistent with a lesser impact. Potential for injury: the potential to cause a further or greater injury must be considered along with the potential to cause injury. Pushing into the contest: Rough Conduct now clearly includes pushing an opponent into another player from either team. Fine accumulation: higher fines for second, third and later low-level offences apply only where the same offence is repeated, and only within the same season (not across two years). Umpire contact: a fourth or later Careless Contact with an Umpire in the same season carries a one-match suspension. Partly successful contest: if a club contests two or more aspects of a charge and wins one, the club is levied $5,000 (counted in its soft cap). Source: 2026 AFL Tribunal Guidelines, section 1.

Question

Accepted Answer

The 2026 AFL Tribunal Guidelines list seven changes:

Intentional strikes: an intentional strike to a player's body or head will usually be graded Medium Impact at a minimum (at least a one-match suspension), rather than Low Impact.
Concussion: an intentional or careless act causing a concussion will usually be graded Severe Impact, but a lesser grading (High or Medium) may be used for a careless act where the observable level of force is more consistent with a lesser impact.
Potential for injury: the potential to cause a further or greater injury must be considered along with the potential to cause injury.
Pushing into the contest: Rough Conduct now clearly includes pushing an opponent into another player from either team.
Fine accumulation: higher fines for second, third and later low-level offences apply only where the same offence is repeated, and only within the same season (not across two years).
Umpire contact: a fourth or later Careless Contact with an Umpire in the same season carries a one-match suspension.
Partly successful contest: if a club contests two or more aspects of a charge and wins one, the club is levied $5,000 (counted in its soft cap).

Source: 2026 AFL Tribunal Guidelines, section 1.