NRL braced for judiciary shake-up

The NRL will this week begin following its biggest judiciary shake-up in 30 years.

The entrance to Rugby League Central

The NRL will this week begin following its biggest judiciary shake-up in 30 years. (AAP)

NRL match review committee chairman Michael Buettner admits the game's new judiciary system could have a teething period.

In what league officials have described as the biggest judiciary shake-up in over 30 years, the competition will this week begin under a new system that involves fines for minor offences.

The 85 infringement categories have been whittled down to 34 and the grading simplified to be low, medium or high.

The changes have resulted in the MRC cleaning out their catalogue of previous examples of misconduct, possibly leaving players without an argument at the judiciary.

"It gives us a chance to set a whole new standard," Buettner told AAP on Monday.

"We're not going to go far away from where we were last year or previous seasons, but it's important we start with a clean slate. This is a whole new system and players should benefit.

"It may be tough early on in the piece, but once we set those boundaries and categories, we'll be very comfortable with where we're at."

Chief among the changes, a number of grade one charges - including tripping, careless high tackles and contrary and detrimental conduct - will now incur a $1500 fine.

The change would've seen Cronulla star Wade Graham allowed to play in State of Origin II last year in what would've been his NSW debut.

The NRL also confirmed that players outside the top 25 will not be fined for their grade one charges and instead will be forced to cop the traditional 100 demerit point charge.

Buettner said the new system created a buzz around the start of the season but was wary of some early blowback.

"I'm not going to say this is going to be a perfect system and I don't think there is," he said.

"But I think there's a lot of positives out of this system, and with the game evolving the way it has over the past 15-20 years, this change has been welcomed by most in the game.

"Hopefully we can see the benefits of that throughout the season."


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Source: AAP



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