Lions' Hodge slams 'inconsistent' AFL MRO

Brisbane's Luke Hodge believes the AFL's fines system for minor infringements has turned into a frustrating revenue-raising exercise.

Luke Hodge of the Lions

Luke Hodge has played 18 AFL games for the Brisbane in 2018 after his 305-game Hawthorn career. (AAP)

Luke Hodge has taken aim at AFL Match Review Officer Michael Christian, saying the system he oversees has become nothing more than a revenue-raising exercise.

The Brisbane veteran admitted he was shocked when hit with a $2000 sanction for engaging in rough conduct with Gold Coast's Alex Sexton in the latter stages of Saturday night's win.

The 34-year-old confirmed on Tuesday he planned to play on for the Lions next season, adding he hoped the current fines system would be "fixed" by then.

"That's the frustrating thing for players; week to week the classification that gets judged is very inconsistent," he said.

"Sometimes they look at medical reports, sometimes they look at the action.

"A tackle here and there and some other stuff ... it's almost like 'who can we get, how much can we fine them'?"

The system was introduced as a mechanism to punish low-level infringements without suspending the player, but Hodge said was it now serving a different purpose.

"It's a tough job (Match Review Officer) but it seems like they go out there to find ways to fine people," he said.

"I think they made $26,000 this week; let's hope that goes to charity and not back to the AFL."

The four-time premiership player has otherwise enjoyed his move north from Hawthorn, saying he had no plans to retire now the young side had earned the competition's respect.

"When I spoke to Fages (coach Chris Fagan) it was always about what was best for the footy club, if that was playing two years so be it," Hodge said.

"It was a lot about how the body was going to hold up and the development of the list.

"At this stage we're looking at it and playing on."

The 15th-placed Lions (5-16) have lost five games by seven points or less this season and have beaten the Hawks twice.

They host a West Coast side who have vowed to "throw the kitchen sink" at Brisbane as they attempt to sew up a top-two spot in Sunday's regular season finale.

"If he (Eagles coach Adam Simpson) says something like that I know West Coast are going to come at it," Hodge said.

"What we've found this year is the Gabba is not an easy place to play football any more.

"We're going to try and affect their finals campaign."


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Source: AAP



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