Adelaide Footy League tribunal reports and suspensions at lowest point since 2014 season
The number of players reported and suspended at the Adelaide Footy League’s tribunal hit their lowest point in at least six seasons in 2019. So what is behind the change?
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Off-season central: Player moves, coaching changes and more news
- How to get the most out of your Advertiser digital subscription
A “militant” approach to on-field behaviour has contributed in cutting the Adelaide Footy League’s tribunal numbers to their lowest point in at least six seasons.
Total reports and matches banned in 2019 were the least since 2014 and serious incidents – suspensions of six or more weeks – were down 50 per cent from last season.
It is despite offending players having nowhere to hide due to a significant increase in filming matches as well as more clubs reporting incidents to the league post-match.
Stream over 50 sports live and on demand with KAYO SPORTS. Just $25/month, no lock-in contract. Get your 14-day free trial and start streaming instantly >
There were a total of 68 guilty reports in 2019 across the league’s 24 divisions and 218 men’s teams this season, for a total of 211 matches suspended.
The numbers compare to 100 reports and 267 games banned last year and are a dramatic improvement on 2017’s high-point of 126 reports and 410 matches suspended.
Adelaide Footy League chief executive John Kernahan said it had been “almost been militant in establishing the standards expected” of its clubs and players.
“The greater majority of our clubs are not only embracing those standards but holding the league to account if we remotely look like dropping off the pace,” Kernahan said.
“We certainly haven’t endured the outrage of non-football type offences in 2019 as we have in previous years but that’s not a coincidence.”
Filming of matches has significantly increased in the past three years, with more than 20 matches per week captured on any given round.
Video evidence has been used to find more players guilty in tribunal hearings though the overall suspension numbers have dropped.
Kernahan said the introduction this season of a new demerit points-style framework for on-field indiscretions – named the behavioural rating system (BRS) – put clubs on notice and gave them a reference point.
The Adelaide Footy League’s BRS system has since been looked at by other football leagues in SA and Victoria as a system to monitor club trends of behaviour and culture.
Kernahan said the removal of Salisbury West from the competition and Salisbury North’s suspension in 2018 had also given other clubs a clear message about behavioural standards.
“There’s been a lot of hard work in ensuring everyone knows where they sit in this … and let everyone know we were fair dinkum in our approach to non-compliance and we don’t bluff,” he said.
“The position we find ourselves today is a compilation of a whole range of influences. The most salient is our clubs are on board and embracing our hard stance.”