The AFL’s much-debated match review system faces an early flashpoint on Monday when judging the head-high bump of North Melbourne’s Marley Williams.

Former North premiership player David King believes match review officer Michael Christian’s ruling on Williams’ bump on Western Bulldog Ed Richards will set a season-long precedent.

“I think there is an opportunity here at the start of 2020 to say this has to be outlawed from our game,” King told Fox Sports.

“If you’re going to change behaviour, it has to be four or five weeks (suspension).”

Christian will release his verdict on the Williams case later Monday with Adelaide’s Matt Crouch also to be scrutinised for a head-high block on Melbourne’s Clayton Oliver.

And Brisbane’s Callum Ah Chee could be cited for a sling tackle on Port Adelaide veteran Justin Westhoff.

The incidents came on the opening weekend of the AFL’s pre-season competition and King said the rulings of match review officer Christian would be salient.

“I think it is about changing behaviour,” he said.

“We have had this crackdown for two or three years now on protecting the head and it’s not working.

“I think we’re going to learn a lot on where he (Christian) sits with this.

“I mean if it is a one or a two-week suspension, is that really going to change behaviour?”