AFL football boss Greg Swann has revealed promising technology updates to the goal-line cameras, set to revolutionise the score review system.
Swann showed how optical tracking works via 40 cameras at Marvel Stadium. It provides 40 frames per second, but by Round 24, just before finals, that will be boosted to 200.
It comes after Collingwood coach Craig McRae pointed to the technology available to the AFL following Patrick Lipinski's denied fourth-term major against North Melbourne last week, citing insufficient evidence due to a "missing frame".
"They should (provide definitive evidence)," Swann said on AFL360.
“Because at the moment, we do 40 frames per second (with the current goalline cameras). These will be 200.
“So, it'll be much clearer, and there won't be any conjecture … these will be definitive.
“We've got a couple of those cameras, and we're trialling them at the moment - they look good.
“By Round 24, we'll have the new goalline cameras as well. They'll come in just before) The finals, so we'll be able to utilise them as well.”
Swann also revealed the AFL is working closely with Champion Data to give real-time verdicts on whether a player's kick has travelled 15 metres, if they've run too far or deviated off their line during a set-shot at goal.
“Got new toys coming …” 👀
Greg Swann gives us the first look at the AFL’s real-time optical tracking devices in action at Marvel Stadium. #AFL360 pic.twitter.com/Z3ey9AJETd
— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) July 15, 2026
Vision throughout the broadcast indicated how the league plans on assisting umpires on game day.
“Here's a good example of what it'll be able to do. These are the 15-metre kicks. They measure them on the run. The optical tracking will be able to do that,” Swann said.
“We're still in the testing phase … we only started in about Round 12, so it'll have next year as well to get out all the kinks. Because it will be able to do goalline things as well, as well as these cameras.”
One example was Hawthorn's Nick Watson, who ran 1.1 metres off his line after the half-time siren against St Kilda, which caused a furore.
“For example … there was one 14.9 (metres) and one 16.8 - do we have a one-metre leeway? Is it between 14 and 16?” Swann offered.
Nick Watson went off his line. NO SCORE. 😳
HT: Hawthorn 8.7 (55) leads St Kilda 0.5 (5)#AFLSaintsHawks pic.twitter.com/s0057jLMVU
— 7AFL (@7AFL) May 28, 2026
“Because what will eventually happen is if it's not 15, there could be a buzz on an umpire's watch, and he calls play on, for example.
“But do we want it spot on 15, or are we happy to have a metre leeway? Because the tech's never perfect.
“And the game itself … Do we want to put it to the umpires, or have it solely for the tech? But we'll confer with the clubs about that and what we think may or may not be the right action.
“It's an assistance tool. In the end, the umpires umpire. It won't be able to determine whether it's a high tackle or push in the back.”
