Carry-over points for contrary conduct will be scrapped as part of a variety of changes to the NRL's Match Review Committee and judiciary processes.
The changes have been introduced in hopes of streamlining the judicial process and reducing confusion around different length bans for players committing the same offence, as a result of the previous points system.
The NRL has also simplified sanctions into eight different categories and introduced a repeat offences system where fines and suspensions will increase should a player have committed the same offence earlier in the season.
What does this mean for players with suspensions from last season?
Players serving suspensions for on-field incidents from 2021 - such as Latrell Mitchell and Harry Grant - must still serve those bans.
However, all players will have their slate wiped clean ahead of the upcoming season, with player records to be reset on a rolling 12-month period since their last offence.
| OFFENCE | GRADE | 1ST OFFENCE | 2ND OFFENCE | 3RD OFFENCE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High Tackle - Careless | 1 | $1500 ($1000) | $2500 ($1800) | 2 matches ($3000) |
| 2 | 2 matches (1) | 3 matches (2) | 4 matches (3) | |
| 3 | 3 matches (2) | 4 matches (3) | 5 matches (4) | |
| High Tackle - Reckless | 4 (1) # | 4 matches (3) | 5 matches (4) | 6 matches (5) |
| 5 (2) | 5 matches (4) | 6 matches (5) | 7 matches (6) | |
| 6 (3) | 6 matches (5) | 7 matches (6) | 8 matches (7) | |
| Dangerous Contact | 1 | $1500 ($1000) | $2500 ($1800) | 2 matches ($3000) |
| 2 | 2 matches (1) | 3 matches (2) | 4 matches (3) | |
| 3 | 3 matches (2) | 4 matches (3) | 5 matches (4) | |
| Dangerous Throw | 1 | $1500 ($1000) | 2 matches ($2500) | 3 matches (2) |
| 2 | 3 matches (2) | 4 matches (3) | 5 matches (4) | |
| 3 | 5 matches (4) | 6 matches (5) | 7 matches (6) | |
| Striking | 1 | $2000 ($1500) | 2 matches ($3000) | 4 matches (3) |
| 2 | 3 matches (2) | 4 matches (3) | 5 matches (4) | |
| 3 | 4 matches (3) | 5 matches (4) | 6 matches (5) | |
| Crusher Tackle | 1 | $2000 ($1500) | 2 matches ($3000) | 4 matches (3) |
| 2 | 3 matches (2) | 4 matches (3) | 5 matches (4) | |
| 3 | 4 matches (3) | 5 matches (4) | 6 matches (5) | |
| Contrary Conduct | 1 | $1500 ($1000) | $2500 ($1800) | 2 matches ($3000) |
| 2 | 2 matches (1) | 3 matches (2) | 4 matches (3) | |
| 3 | 3 matches (2) | 4 matches (3) | 5 matches (4) | |
| Shoulder Charge | 1 | $2000 ($1500) | 2 matches ($3000) | 4 matches (3) |
| 2 | 3 matches (2) | 4 matches (3) | 5 matches (4) | |
| 3 | 4 matches (3) | 5 matches (4) | 6 matches (5) |
# – High Tackle Reckless is effectively treated as a grade up from High Tackle Careless.
Early plea is in parenthesis
Judiciary and Match Review Committee's expanded
The NRL has also announced the pool of judiciary and Match Review Committee panel members will be expanded to include more former coaches and referees.
"The Judiciary Chairman will now observe the judiciary panel’s deliberations and will provide the casting vote where the verdict is not unanimous," a statement from the NRL read.
"Once the verdict is announced, the Judiciary Chairman will now provide a summary which explains the reasons for the panel’s decision. This will better inform clubs, players and the public of the reasons behind a decision."
Former player Luke Patten has been appointed the MRC Manager, and will have the casting vote on whether a charge is issued in the event of a deadlock amongst the panel.
"The match review will remain independent, with the NRL CEO and ARL Commission having the ability to refer matters for the MRC to review an incident for charging not already captured by the Match Review Committee," the statement read.
