Overview
- Four field umpires will review 17 Champion Data categories immediately after each home‑and‑away game before casting 3‑2‑1 votes.
- The approved AFL‑issued device will show only the specified metrics, with no access to other data or personal phones before voting.
- Voting will remain a unanimous, subjective decision by the field umpires, according to the AFL’s formal announcement.
- The same data‑assisted process will be used in the AFLW for its annual best‑and‑fairest award.
- Two‑time winner Nat Fyfe voiced reservations about losing some “humanness,” as the new system is set to debut at next Thursday’s Sydney–Carlton season opener.