AFL MRO: Young Tiger in trouble for strike

Richmond youngster Jonty Faull is set to be handed a one-week suspension for his off-the-ball strike on Carlton defender Jacob Weitering.

In the second quarter, Faull, when the ball was nowhere near, opted to swing his right arm towards Weitering's stomach and ribs.

Under new instruction, the Match Review Officer (MRO) has the capacity to upgrade gut punches from fines to bans after the rules changed ahead of 2026.

The MRO can grade the incident as medium impact, instead of low, which will raise the punishment to a week lay off.

Jacob Weitering dropped to the ground following this incident involving Jonty Faull#AFLBluesTigers pic.twitter.com/LQluZf87gW

— AFL (@AFL) March 12, 2026

MRO Michael Christian explained the changes:

"It will be graded, usually, as medium, at a minimum. Usually means more than 50 per cent. That's a significant change ... that will result in a week suspension.

"A strike is defined as a blow delivered with force; there's nothing about a clenched fist in there. As long as the blow is delivered with force, it doesn't matter if it's a clenched fist or a palm of the hand."

In the pre-season, West Coast recruit was the first victim to fall to a one-match suspension following his striking charge in a pre-season clash.

The MRO intentional, medium impact and body contact, leading to the one-game ban, setting the standard for the season.