Rules Centre Bounce ditched; no more Subs: AFL announce rule changes for 2026

[kickazz]

One of the dumb things I always thought about the sub rule, purportedly for injuries, was that each team had ONE sub player.

I mean, how stupid is that when you think about it. You pick one guy to replace any possible injured player (because remember they are supposed to be for injuries). So whether the injured player was a ruck, inside mid, outside mid, small forward, tall defender - you get the picture - you only had one option to replace them.

I always thought you should be allowed one sub per game but, for example, any of four named emergencies could be it. (I understand the implications here with those players missing VFL or playing 1.5 games, but the general premise makes sense)

 

[DERRINALPHIL]

I have not read this thread and I assume that someone has already told this but there is a simple reason why we have a bounce and a throw in over the umps head for boundary re-commencement for play exist.

Originally the captains umpired the games so bouncing it and having, with what looks to modern eyes, a silly throw in, was way of removing allegations of bias of the captains.

I hate the thrown in as it is not reliable. The bounce is a skill. Have a look at the first semi final and preliminary final of 1971 and see bouncing that was so much straighter than today. The bounces in 1971 went straight but no where as high.

I speak as a dentist who has some knowledge of physiology unlike most footy fans. When you use maximum force you lose some control. Those moron who intone, "He didn't kick through it", when a player misses a shot at goal are showing to me they are parrots, simply repeating stuff they have heard other morons say for years.

They try to throw the ball in too high and far so losing control. They are neutral umpires so I want them to turn around and pitch the ball in constantly.

 

[Billy ray]

ok, hopefully next they change the rule about when time starts, from when it leaves the umpires hands on a ball up or throw in, to when it touches a players hand

 

[kickazz]

I have not read this thread and I assume that someone has already told this but there is a simple reason why we have a bounce and a throw in over the umps head for boundary re-commencement for play exist.

Originally the captains umpired the games so bouncing it and having, with what looks to modern eyes, a silly throw in, was way of removing allegations of bias of the captains.

I hate the thrown in as it is not reliable. The bounce is a skill. Have a look at the first semi final and preliminary final of 1971 and see bouncing that was so much straighter than today. The bounces in 1971 went straight but no where as high.

I speak as a dentist who has some knowledge of physiology unlike most footy fans. When you use maximum force you lose some control. Those moron who intone, "He didn't kick through it", when a player misses a shot at goal are showing to me they are parrots, simply repeating stuff they have heard other morons say for years.

They try to throw the ball in too high and far so losing control. They are neutral umpires so I want them to turn around and pitch the ball in constantly.

I think there was a stage where boundary umpires just knocked the ball back into play if it went out.

 

[Howard Littlejohn]

I would prefer the bounce stayed. The unpredictability of thebounce adds something the throws don't have. But its days were clearly numbered, so fair enough.

The hybrid interchange-sub hasn't worked with the sub being tactical rather than injury based as it was supposed to come in for. I would much rather a move to a sub only than interchange only system. The way the interchange has evolved has cheapened it in some ways and seen burst athletes preferred. But this is an improvement, even if more fresh legs means congested footy can last longer.

Hopefully the following will occur with "interpretations" :
Push in the back. Pay it. From round zero, not suddenly crack down once in a final.
Choose to drop thre ball. Illegal disposal. Pay it.
Walk over the line with the ball, or taken over the boundary line with prior opportunity to dispose of it. Either insufficient intent,or holding the ball. Pay it.
Would not have been high if you had stayed upright. Don't pay it. Ducked but would have been high anyway. Pay it.
And its just about time for benefit of the doubt on a handball to be called a throw.

 

[Howard Littlejohn]

Every time a goal is scored it could explode. Kids love that shit.

Instead of waving flags, goal umpires should go into a cheerleader dance and set off fireworks.

 

[revo333]

And by the end of 2026 there will be a call to have 5 on the bench plus a sub.

Yep, Can't wait for the first team to get 2 early injuries and play the rest of the game 2 short and lose.

 

[revo333]

Allright if we're getting rid of tradition why not a Twilight GF then?

Watching Collingwood vs Brisbane convinced me that they should try a GF at that starting time.

Sounds like Eddie McGuire is keen for it.

 

[010203]

Well done to Swanny for getting rid of the bounce.

 

[Blackhawk42]

Allright if we're getting rid of tradition why not a Twilight GF then?

You didn't enjoy last Saturday?

Lunch at 2.
Drunk by 2:30.
Dinner at 4.
Guests gone by 6:30.
Kids in bed at the regular time.
Time enough to watch the replay of the second half before bed.

Most perfect day of the year.

 

[joe444]

not like they originally bounced the ball like they currently do anyway. Back in the day, they held it with one hand and used to slap it into the ground, so it's hardly a 'tradition' that needs to stay.

You must be talking before the 40s ....

I have not read this thread and I assume that someone has already told this but there is a simple reason why we have a bounce and a throw in over the umps head for boundary re-commencement for play exist.

Originally the captains umpired the games so bouncing it and having, with what looks to modern eyes, a silly throw in, was way of removing allegations of bias of the captains.

I hate the thrown in as it is not reliable. The bounce is a skill. Have a look at the first semi final and preliminary final of 1971 and see bouncing that was so much straighter than today. The bounces in 1971 went straight but no where as high.

I speak as a dentist who has some knowledge of physiology unlike most footy fans. When you use maximum force you lose some control. Those moron who intone, "He didn't kick through it", when a player misses a shot at goal are showing to me they are parrots, simply repeating stuff they have heard other morons say for years.

They try to throw the ball in too high and far so losing control. They are neutral umpires so I want them to turn around and pitch the ball in constantly.

Read the damn thread before writing a essay in it.

 

[Outtatym]

All I wanna know is will the TV show be renamed throw up? As that would be apt

 

[Xtreme]

I laugh at the AFL saying they ditched the bounce for the umpires well being. They need to harden up big time.

 

[HairyO]

I laugh at the AFL saying they ditched the bounce for the umpires well being. They need to harden up big time.

Its so they can recruit weaker umpires who cant bounce a ball to the minimum regulation height.

 

[Xtreme]

Its so they can recruit weaker umpires who cant bounce a ball to the minimum regulation height.

They're not recruiting Jockeys so they have something to do before the Melbourne Cup ?

Maybe they should recruit umpires who aren't blind and call players throwing the ball more often!!

 

[joe444]

Its so they can recruit weaker umpires who cant bounce a ball to the minimum regulation height.

There's a regulation height?

 

[bluespooner]

Whilst I do like the bounce, there's next to no reason for it to remain if it is in fact a barrier for up and coming umpires.

I would rather get rid of the current umpires than the bounce.

 

[soafraid]

the bounce is sick, game's too congested nowadays, it needs a bit of chaos from the bounce. you throw it straight up and its about a 65% chance of another stoppage immediately.

 

[Rod Stroker]

Am I the only one that loves the bounce?

hate it. should never have lasted this long. cringe fest. worst show on TV

 

[quotemokc]

Bad centre bounces generally bounce either too far to one teams end.

Why not change the position of the umpire so that a bad bounce is more likely to go to the wing instead of favouring a scoring end?

 

[parano1a]

Removing the sub and instead making them an additional interchange player, removes the uncertainty and "waiting" to make the decision to make the sub.

As a spectator, this added an element of theatre to the game which I quite enjoyed.

 

[greatwhiteshark]

Never ever in 45 years been to a game of football and walked out after a game thinking we have a problem with the umpires bouncing the ball.
Just another rule change by the suits who know nothing about the game.

 

[Rod Stroker]

Watching Collingwood vs Brisbane convinced me that they should try a GF at that starting time.

Sounds like Eddie McGuire is keen for it.

I was convinced 13 years ago with the Hawks v Crows PF. Was the best visual spectacle I'd ever seen at a game.

The later start also allows more people in Europe to watch it.

 

[revo333]

I wonder if a team will try and not bother having a ruck at the centre bounce and go for an extra midfielder.

 

[Rod Stroker]

I wonder if a team will try and not bother having a ruck at the centre bounce and go for an extra midfielder.

that could have happened already. Didn't need to wait for the bounce to go