Anyway, the new changes are:
The changes
* Traditional playing positions at centre bounces
- Clubs must have six players inside both 50m arcs, with one player inside the goalsquare.
- Four midfield players must start inside the centre square with the two wingmen stationed along the wing.
Personally I shall reserve judgement on this one. The positions only apply until the moment the ball is bounced so it doesnt seem to bad. The main impact will be on teams who are wanting to play with an extra man (or more) behind the ball in close games where they are leading or even in games where they are on the wrong side of a blow out.
* Kick-ins
- At kick-ins, a player will no longer need to kick to himself to play on from the goalsquare.
- Following a behind, the man on the mark will be brought out to 10m from the top of the goalsquare, rather than the existing five metres.
Not a big fan of this change.
* Marks and free kicks in defence
- When defenders mark or receive a free kick within nine metres of their own goal, the man on the mark will be brought in line with the top of the goalsquare.
I can see some possible merit in this change.
* Runners and water carriers
- Team runners may only enter the playing surface after a goal has been kicked and must exit before play restarts.
- Water carriers are not permitted to enter the playing surface during live play.
Totally agree with this one. This is a change that is LONG overdue.
* Umpire contact
- Players will be prohibited from setting up behind the umpire at centre bounces.
I think this is fair enough.
* 50m penalties
- The player with the ball:
Must be allowed to advance the mark by 50m without the infringing player delaying the game.
Will be able to play on while the 50m penalty is being measured out.
Also agree with this change.
* Kicking for goal after the siren
- A player who has been awarded a mark or free kick once play has ended:
Will now be able to kick across their body using a snap or check-side kick BUT must kick the ball directly in line with the man on the mark and the goal.
Will reserve judgement.
* Marking contests
- The 'hands in the back’ rule interpretation has been repealed so a player can now:
Place his hands on the back of his opponent to protect his position in a marking contest PROVIDED he does not push his opponent in the back.
Definitely don't like this change. Their is a skill in using your body eg hip to protect the drop zone.
* Ruck contests: prior opportunity
- A ruckman who takes direct possession of the ball from a bounce, throw-up or boundary throw-in will no longer be regarded as having had prior opportunity.
Hate this change.This seems to simply promote congestion. The AFL should have been repealing the whole prior opportunity element to the holding the ball rule. instead they have expanded it.
- Where there is uncertainty over who is the designated ruckman, the ruckman for each team will still be required to nominate to the field umpire.
Another rule that should have been repealed but wasnt. The whole nominating the designated ruckman is nonsense. Penalise the 3rd man up and simply leave it at that.