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AFL pushing ahead with last-disposal rule and abolishing sub for 2026 season
The AFL Commission will rule on recommendations to introduce a last-disposal rule and the scrapping of the sub on the day of the Brownlow Medal as Greg Swann ushers in a period of change.
Club football bosses were told late last month that the AFL was keen to introduce a raft of changes as part of a football department submission.
Swann is keen to bring in a last-disposal rule which would mean if a player handballed or kicked the ball over the lines between the arcs they would give away a free kick.
If a player knocked the ball over the line in a contest it would not be a free kick, with the usual insufficient intent rules within each 50m arc.
While that SANFL rule has not resulted in a big increase in free kicks it has incentivised corridor play and meant a more black-and-white decision making process.
The AFL is also likely to ask the AFL Commission to have five players on the bench instead of four and a sub.
The AFL Commission is likely to rule on the retention or abolition of the bounce at the October commission meeting.
Senior coaches including Brad and Chris Scott and Hawthorn’s Sam Mitchell have all pushed for five on the bench, with Mitchell saying: “Get rid of it, it’s hopeless.”
Norwood coach Jade Sheedy told the Herald Sun last month: “I like it between the arcs. It gives greater clarity. There are a few quirky bits to it.”
Players are not given a free kick if the ball is tumbling towards the line but they choose not to keep the ball in.
South Adelaide coach Jarrad Wright was also in favour: “It eliminates the ambiguity from an umpire’s perspective and it’s clear cut. It keeps the game going.”
New AFL football boss Swann told the AFL Record he was keen to bring in five on the bench and the last-possession rule.
“All these things have to be approved by the commission. But there will be recommendations put forward and that will be one that we adopt,” Swann said.
“We do it in AFLW, the SANFL does it, it’s between the arcs and it’s a kick or a handball.
“The stats show on the games played that there would only be two extra free kicks a game. It’s not a big change, but it’s a tough call for the umps sometimes and we’re almost there anyway.”
The AFL Commission will rule on recommendations to introduce a last-disposal rule and the scrapping of the sub on the day of the Brownlow Medal as Greg Swann ushers in a period of change.
Club football bosses were told late last month that the AFL was keen to introduce a raft of changes as part of a football department submission.
Swann is keen to bring in a last-disposal rule which would mean if a player handballed or kicked the ball over the lines between the arcs they would give away a free kick.
If a player knocked the ball over the line in a contest it would not be a free kick, with the usual insufficient intent rules within each 50m arc.
While that SANFL rule has not resulted in a big increase in free kicks it has incentivised corridor play and meant a more black-and-white decision making process.
The AFL is also likely to ask the AFL Commission to have five players on the bench instead of four and a sub.
The AFL Commission is likely to rule on the retention or abolition of the bounce at the October commission meeting.
Senior coaches including Brad and Chris Scott and Hawthorn’s Sam Mitchell have all pushed for five on the bench, with Mitchell saying: “Get rid of it, it’s hopeless.”
Norwood coach Jade Sheedy told the Herald Sun last month: “I like it between the arcs. It gives greater clarity. There are a few quirky bits to it.”
Players are not given a free kick if the ball is tumbling towards the line but they choose not to keep the ball in.
South Adelaide coach Jarrad Wright was also in favour: “It eliminates the ambiguity from an umpire’s perspective and it’s clear cut. It keeps the game going.”
New AFL football boss Swann told the AFL Record he was keen to bring in five on the bench and the last-possession rule.
“All these things have to be approved by the commission. But there will be recommendations put forward and that will be one that we adopt,” Swann said.
“We do it in AFLW, the SANFL does it, it’s between the arcs and it’s a kick or a handball.
“The stats show on the games played that there would only be two extra free kicks a game. It’s not a big change, but it’s a tough call for the umps sometimes and we’re almost there anyway.”
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