The AFL's Football operations manager Mark Evans can now direct incidents straight to the Tribunal, even if the Match Review Panel has already graded it.
The move is part of several changes the game's judiciary system, with more clarity around the difference between negligent, reckless and intentional actions and clearer definitions on grading the impact of offences communicated to clubs.
"The AFL's review was centred around how can the system be simplified and more easily understood, as well as modified to produce more equitable and consistent results," Evans told AFL.com.au.
Tiger sidelined
Richmond ruckman Ivan Maric will be sidelined for six to eight weeks after undergoing surgery to remove bone spurs from his ankle on Monday.
Maric's absence means former Blue Shaun Hampson will most likely be tasked with the responsibility of leading the club's ruck division to start 2014, with Orren Stephenson the backup.
Wilkinson making a stand
Former Gold Coast Sun Joel Wilkinson has spoken out about the impact racism had on his AFL career.
"My first game, and I'm out there playing and I heard the remark from a player, an opposition player, 'You black c***,'" he recalled in a video for AFL.com.au.
"I remember just thinking, 'How do I go about this?'
"I was at the point where I actually was prepared to fight him, just to put the spotlight on the issue and make it a big issue."
Cooling Koch down
Port Adelaide will speak to its chairman David Koch and ask him to tone down his views on AFL issues not concerning the Power.
Ken Hinkley praised Koch for his work at the Power in the past 16 months but said he would chat with him about "all of those things that have come up", according to the Herald Sun.
Fletcher best 22
Essendon assistant coach Nathan Bassett believes Dustin Fletcher is capable of playing every game for the Bombers this year.
"He hasn't missed any training sessions with injury," Bassett said.
"So if he's in our best 22 I'd imagine he'd play each week."
If Fletcher takes the field against North Melbourne in Round 1 he will become the outright leader in games played for the Bombers.
