Overview

• Adam Cerra is the first player under the AFL’s July 1 umpire-contact rule change to face a direct Tribunal referral after his fourth careless contact in two years.
• Zac Bailey has been offered a one-game suspension for a high-contact bump on Nick Haynes graded as careless conduct with medium impact and high contact.
• The policy mandates automatic tribunal referral for any player cited for four or more instances of careless umpire contact within a two-year period.
• Coaches including Michael Voss and Brad Scott are calling for umpires to halt play with ball-ups and adjust their positioning to prevent accidental collisions.
• AFL officials are monitoring the impact of these stricter penalties and procedural adjustments to enhance umpire safety and maintain game integrity.