New rule changes
- Remove the requirement for a Player to start in the Goal Square at each centre ball-up
- Introduce a Free Kick for the last disposal Out of Bounds in between the 50m arcs
- At all centre ball-ups, a competing Ruck cannot cross the Centre Circle line and engage with the opposition Ruck, prior to contesting the football
- Around the ground, the Umpire may restart play without a nominated Ruck being present
- A shrug (in a tackle) will be deemed Prior Opportunity (i.e., as an attempt to evade or fend an opponent)
- A Player must stand if they are within the Protected Area (i.e., within five metres) when a Mark or Free Kick occurs
- Align the interpretation of ‘reasonable time’ for a Player to bring the football back into play from a Behind being scored and the time allowed for a set Kick around the ground. Currently, reasonable time for kick-ins is 12 seconds, whereas around the ground is eight (8) seconds. Players will now be allowed eight (8) seconds in both instances.
I am wondering
i) Whether we will see Sean Darcy in at centre
throw ups any more - or how his technique will be changing this summer since it has traditionally been engage body contact or a stiff arm hold off before tapping
ii)How the hell they are going to interpret the stand thing? I envisage Uber-frustration from spectators and players on this. Imagine a contested pack mark with 3 or 4 crumbers hanging off the pack in case of a spillage. Everyone has to "stand" as soon as the mark is taken. The poor bugger with the ball who outskilled everyone with a super mark then has to negotiate moving the ball on with 6 or 7 people crowded around him within a 10-metre circle.
iii) It makes umpiring decisions easier but I predict that everyone is going to absolutely hate the last disposal out of bounds rule and its impact on plays, games and win/loss results. Every other game in the world has it, but none have the ability after it occurs to pump the ball forward up to 55 m with a kick that, if marked, results in an uninterrupted shot at goal.