Why AFL players are concerned about the increase in fines; AFLPA; Collingwood Magpies; Carlton Blues; Essendon Bombers; Richmond Tigers; Głogowe Jastrzębie

Players are calling on the AFL to reduce the size of fines handed out by the Match Review Committee after a series of financial sanctions prompted some to say they would be better off suspended.

The AFL Players Association says players have told the union they believe they have been stung by excessive fines disproportionate to their indiscretions and want transparency into how the league spends the money.

The league has handed out a whopping $263,250 in fines this season, according to AFLPA records, up a third on last year, with nine full rounds and finals still to play. The AFLPA expects the issue to be raised with players when it visits clubs next week.

The AFL increased the penalties this season in connection with the salary increases resulting from the new wage agreement, despite opposition from the AFLPA, which did not believe there was a disciplinary issue requiring tougher financial sanctions. The AFL declined to comment on the size of the penalties.

Landing

Port Adelaide star Zak Butters himself has already been fined $14,375 this year – the equivalent of 60 minimum speed offences – taking his total to $29,375. He is one charge short of breaking Toby Greene’s record of $31,850, although at just 23 he is in good position to overtake the Greater Western Sydney veteran by the end of his career.

Butters was fined $10,000 this week, reduced to $6,250 on his earlier charge, for intentionally striking the body with a minor blow. Such offences are usually punishable by $2,500, although Butters was booked as a repeat offender for his fourth offence. Hawthorn’s Jai Newcombe also accepted a $6,250 fine for a similar blow on his third offence.

The players’ union does not want to get involved in individual cases, but believes fines of more than $6,000 are too high.

“We are concerned about the level of the fines,” AFLPA general manager of player and stakeholder relations Brett Murphy said in this tophead.