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AAP
AAP
Sport
Steve Larkin

Dangerous tackle sanctions in 'right spot': AFL chief

The AFL's CEO elect Andrew Dillon feels the current penalties for rough tackles are appropriate. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

Sanctions for dangerous tackles are in the "right spot" but will be reviewed at season's end, the AFL's chief executive elect Andrew Dillon says.

Dillon on Monday dismissed any notion of confusion around the crackdown on dangerous tackles which has led to a spate of reports and suspensions this year.

"I don't really see there being confusion," Dillon told reporters.

"At the moment the penalties or the sanctions are in the right spot.

"But as we do every year at the end of the year, we'll review how the season is going and where we want to go going forward.

"So (that) doesn't necessarily mean we'll stay in the same spot."

More than 20 players have been banned for dangerous tackles this year but Dillion called for perspective about the clampdown.

"What I will say about the dangerous tackles, MRO (match review officer) and our tribunal system, it's all about protecting the health and safety of our players," he said.

"And the AFL, we won't apologise for that.

"We have had close to 14,000 tackles this year and what we're looking at, at an MRO, tribunal perspective is slightly under 30 tackles that have been looked at.

"Any time there is avoidable head contact, we want to try and take that out of the game so we will continue to do that.

"The appeals board meets tonight on one of the matters and we'll just continue to make that a priority for us."

Hawthorn captain James Sicily is the latest player to challenge a suspension at the appeals board, with his hearing to start at 1700 AEST.

Sicily is appealing his three-game ban for rough conduct after laying a tackle which concussed Brisbane's Hugh McCluggage.

"I don't want to comment on that particular incident because it's in front of the appeals board," Dillon said.

"But I think what constitutes a dangerous tackle is when arms are pinned or when there's excessive force.

"I'll just leave it at that."

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