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(From Canberra Times)
Kangaroos coach Dean Laidley says his club will challenge set penalties at the tribunal in 2005 rather than taking an early plea under the AFL's new disciplinary system.
The AFL yesterday released the details of its set penalty system, which was aimed at greater consistency in suspensions and reducing the number of visits to the tribunal.
The new system grades each offence according to four criteria: whether it was intentional, reckless or negligent; severity of the impact; whether it occurred in play or behind play; and whether contact was to the head or body.
The subsequent grading then determines how many demerit points are given to a player, which decides the length of suspension.
Discounts will be given to players with good records and those who take an early plea without recourse to a hearing, while premiums will be imposed for repeat offenders and particularly for offences committed in a grand final.
Club coaches were broadly supportive of the new system, but Laidley cautioned that the Kangaroos would initially test their luck at the tribunal rather than take early pleas.