AFL says video new review centre will be a game-changer
The AFL has unveiled its new bunker at Marvel Stadium in a bid to revolutionise the besieged score review system. Find out how it works.
AFL
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Four new slow-mo cameras will be operated at every AFL final this year and a team of 17 score reviewers has been slashed to three in what the league has labelled a “major advancement” for it’s besieged score review system.
Unveiling “ARC” — the AFL’s new review bunker in the bowels of Marvel Stadium — the league said it was confident its investment in the new technology and staffing changes would bring about better outcomes.
“The importance of this centre is about clarity, confidence and consistency,” AFL football operations boss Steve Hocking said.
“Consistency of decision making is really important for the game. We can all talk to the fact there’s been a number of incidents throughout the season that are regrettable. But moving forward we’ve got the centre, we’ve set it up to support enhanced decision making.
“There is human error so let’s understand that. It’s umpires, it’s also players, coaches. Everyone involved in the game makes mistakes and so we just need to recognise that as fans. But this is a major step forward for the industry.”
The new at-ground technology includes three slow-motion cameras and one extreme slow-mo camera with the hope of delivering better clarity around balls that are touched off the boot.
“We’re going to have the best available pictures for our decision makers,” Hocking said.
ARC — short for AFL Review Centre — will be manned by 10 staff throughout finals, with three of those being part of the score review in the form of a vision operator, a score reviewer a senior supervisor, who will explain decisions live to fans in their loungerooms at home.
Importantly, the broadcast will show the same vision that is being reviewed in ARC — which has not previously been the case.
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A doctor will also be present in the centre and will have a direct line to club medical staff on the benches at games, as well as umpiring advisers.
Match review officer Michael Christian will also be in the bunker during finals, with a plan to deliver findings within 24 hours of the completion of matches.
ARC was tested in Round 23 and the old score review system will still be operational during finals in case of any unexpected technology issues.
The AFL apologised for wrong score review findings in Rounds 11 and 12 before making the decision to build the new centre.
Originally published as AFL says video new review centre will be a game-changer
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