AFL news: Charlie Cameron ‘good bloke’ defence loophole closed, worn-in balls to be used in games

Players will no longer be able to use their good record to get themselves out of trouble at the tribunal this year. Plus the AFL has made another change regarding the match day football.

The Charlie Cameron ’good bloke’ defence loophole has been closed. Picture: Getty Images

The AFL has closed one of its most contentious tribunal loopholes and banished the ‘good bloke’ discount on suspensions.

The Herald Sun can reveal the league has confirmed in a memo to clubs that players will not be afforded discounts on penalties based on their good character or record.

Brisbane star Charlie Cameron was sensationally cleared of a suspension for a dangerous tackle on Melbourne’s Jake Lever last year because of his “exemplary character and record”, causing an outcry across the industry.

Cameron had not been suspended in 207 games at the time of the tribunal hearing.

In 2017 the AFL took into account comments by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and TV presenter Waleed Aly in handing a lighter sentence to Richmond’s Bachar Houli after he knocked out Carlton’s Jed Lamb.

But the controversial clause has been binned after the AFL on Wednesday confirmed the definition of its exceptional and compelling circumstances definition had changed in its 2025 tribunal guidelines.

Charlie Cameron avoided suspension for a tackle on Jake Lever last year. Picture: Getty Images

From this season, the league confirmed “the definition of exceptional and compelling circumstances will be limited to expressly exclude a player’s character and standing in the community”, the memo said.

It means a player’s character will no longer be a way to downgrade a tribunal charge.

The move will be warmly welcomed by the clubs due to the difficulty of maintaining consistency and fairness in regards to players’ character, standing and record.

Former Carlton and Adelaide great Eddie Betts provided a character reference for Cameron who was hailed for his leadership and contribution to the game across more than 200 matches.

However, the confusing loophole was ridiculed by Geelong coach Chris Scott who said it would be “offensive” not to try and use the same defence for other players based on Cameron’s successful defence.

Chris Scott took issue with the ‘good bloke’ defence. Picture: Getty Images

“It would be offensive to any of our players to suggest they have lesser character than the two players in recent history who have successfully used that clause,” Scott said.

“There are plenty of others who have asked for it and been denied, which is highly offensive.

“I think the broader conversation is one worth having.”

AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon confirmed after Cameron was cleared it would be reviewed at season’s end, triggering the overhaul.

The change was part of a set of governance tweaks ahead of the new season.

The Herald Sun can also reveal the AFL will make a move to using worn-in footballs on match days in 2025 to help alleviate some concerns around the hardness of the Sherrins.

Clubs will now be allowed to use footballs which have been used at any of their training sessions during the week.

The match day footballs will now be more worn in. Picture: Getty Images

Previously clubs have only been able to kick-in the new balls at the captain’s run at the training session the day before the game.

But it is hoped the increased use at training throughout the week will help make the leather softer in balls on game days.

Players have said previously brand new balls are harder to kick than Sherrins which have been previously used and worn in.

The hard balls could be a factor in goal kicking accuracy which has failed to increase across the past decade and continues to frustrate coaches and fans.

Players have said the hardness of the Sherrins when they are first used adds to the feeling of ‘pointiness’ at each end of the footy which can make it harder to kick accurately.

The AFL also stations more than 10 new balls around the ground to help speed up the game which also keeps them new and hard.

Players will be able to kick-in match day footballs at training during the week. Picture: Andrew Batsch

The move will be welcomed by the game’s stars after recent talks between the Players Association and league headquarters.

In the NBA, LA Lakers coach JJ Reddick recently called on the league to play with more worn-in basketballs for more control.

“I’m not sure why we’re playing in real games with brand-new basketballs,” Reddick said.

“Anybody who’s ever touched the NBA ball brand-new, it’s a different feel and touch than a worn-in basketball.”

The move to more worn in footballs is among a raft of changes ahead of the new season including some match review panel tweaks.

The league has also reduced fines for a first low-level classifiable offence and a first fixed financial offence.

The fines will drop from $1,250 to $1000 with an early guilty plea for a fixed financial offence and from 2,500 to $2,000 for a low-level classifiable offence.

Fines for second, third and subsequent offences will remain the same for the new season.