Fremantle star Nat Fyfe has applauded the AFL’s decision to overhaul a tribunal system he labelled “almost ridiculous” last season.

Fyfe, 23, was suspended for four matches over two separate incidents last year and still finished just one vote behind winner Matt Priddis in the Brownlow Medal count, despite being ineligible.

His first suspension, for a bump on Gold Coast’s Michael Rischitelli that caused a clash of heads, sparked much debate as many viewed it as accidental.

Under the old disciplinary system, Fyfe received a mandatory two-match ban, but the match review panel now has far greater scope to treat incidents on a case-by-case basis following the league’s revamp.

“I think it’s a really pragmatic way of dealing with the way our game is going,” Fyfe said on Wednesday.

“There’s so much scrutiny now with camera angles from every different position.

“It was almost ridiculous the way the game was going with the tribunal, so I’m really happy with some of the changes.

“They’ve been really sensible.”

In the AFL’s annual pre-season poll of all 18 club captains, Fyfe was voted the most likely player to win this year’s Brownlow.

“I think Gary Ablett and Joel Selwood and a couple of (others) might have something to say about that,” he said.

“But it’s certainly humbling.”