Rules 7 new rules - AFL Rule Changes for 2026

[GoldbergsGold]

So how do you propose fixing the defence dominated game? Or shall we leave it as is?

Not sure if you can get rid of superfloods without adding zones. I wouldn't mind them getting rid of backward marking outside forward 50s and for rushed behinds have throw ins or ball ups around 25 metres outside the goals instead of rewarding the rushed behind with possession immediately back.

 

[GuruJosh]

Not sure if you can get rid of superfloods without adding zones. I wouldn't mind them getting rid of backward marking outside forward 50s and for rushed behinds have throw ins or ball ups around 25 metres outside the goals instead of rewarding the rushed behind with possession immediately back.

Yeah sounds interesting

 

[JoondalupJ]

I think that's even too much for the umpires to micromanage.

The enjoyment was all the pressure psychologically on the ball carrier. Now, the pressure is gone, why would anyone want no pressure in Aussie Rules?

Why is everyone talking about what the umpires might or can or can't do.

I thought this was a competition between players, not make things clearer for an umpire with 50 million rules to get right, and most have about 3 options per freekick an umpire can pick.
Its been hijacked by rules over kill and corporate politically correct fools who know nothing about what the basis of the game is all about. Contacting and defeating your opponent.

Without interference from off the field no knowledge people, in admin on fat salaries.

How many times good hard play gets pulled up by a whistle. Numerous times it happens!
And to me spoils the whole idea of a tough sport.We had once.

 

[GoldbergsGold]

Why is everyone talking about what the umpires might or can or can't do.

I thought this was a competition between players, not make things clearer for an umpire with 50 million rules to get right, and most have about 3 options per freekick an umpire can pick.
Its been hijacked by rules over kill and corporate politically correct fools who know nothing about what the basis of the game is all about. Contacting and defeating your opponent.

Without interference from off the field no knowledge people, in admin on fat salaries.

How many times good hard play gets pulled up by a whistle. Numerous times it happens!
And to me spoils the whole idea of a tough sport.We had once.

I remember that 2024 semi final where Port were penalized for fair tackles because the umpires were on edge about corporate "dangerous tackle" mandates was next level insane. Grant Thomas suggesting it's due to the higher ups using that as an example to shield themselves legally at court hearings over those brain damage lawsuits.

 

[GuruJosh]

Why is everyone talking about what the umpires might or can or can't do.

I thought this was a competition between players, not make things clearer for an umpire with 50 million rules to get right, and most have about 3 options per freekick an umpire can pick.
Its been hijacked by rules over kill and corporate politically correct fools who know nothing about what the basis of the game is all about. Contacting and defeating your opponent.

Without interference from off the field no knowledge people, in admin on fat salaries.

How many times good hard play gets pulled up by a whistle. Numerous times it happens!
And to me spoils the whole idea of a tough sport.We had once.

Love your thoughts. Maybe I’m banging my head against wall if I think we can stop flooded defences. I was hoping for quicker ball transition to catch defences off guard but maybe it’s a fantasy. Players can cover the distances these days so the game is diff to old times.

 

[aCunningPlan]

Agree to disagree I guess. I would say there are still a huge amount of high pressure games, there's even proper pressure ratings nowadays to show that. Reverting to rules twenty years ago would be like watching paint dry, with flooding and defensive dominance seeing sides lucky to get ten goals a game with quarters blowing out to forty minutes. It was obvious the trajectory of the game was going and to do nothing was to kill the game entirely.
The heart of the game is still there and strong, the rules still reward the player whose sole objective in the ball and move it forward to score. Contested play is still enshrined in our game when in dispute. I can tell you now the players have rolled with the improvements to the game, those drafted this year don't know any different.

 

[GuruJosh]

Agree to disagree I guess. I would say there are still a huge amount of high pressure games, there's even proper pressure ratings nowadays to show that. Reverting to rules twenty years ago would be like watching paint dry, with flooding and defensive dominance seeing sides lucky to get ten goals a game with quarters blowing out to forty minutes. It was obvious the trajectory of the game was going and to do nothing was to kill the game entirely.
The heart of the game is still there and strong, the rules still reward the player whose sole objective in the ball and move it forward to score. Contested play is still enshrined in our game when in dispute. I can tell you now the players have rolled with the improvements to the game, those drafted this year don't know any different.

Yes let us watch the first few games to get a sense of the new rule impacts and then watch throughout the season as coaches work out ways to exploit and manipulate new rules…

 

[GuruJosh]

If I am running near the boundary and grab the ball then handball it into you feet deliberately and it comes off your foot and goes out of the full… should that be a free kick or not?

 

[juss]

Watched the stand rule video, no examples where there were multiple players within the 5m zone, so still unclear if its only one player that would be called to stand.

I assume so right?

 

[Do the Dew]

Watched the stand rule video, no examples where there were multiple players within the 5m zone, so still unclear if its only one player that would be called to stand.

I assume so right?

Assuming that the AFL has thought through all the machinations of a rule change, and how this could be exploited is pure folly. They're a bunch of ****ing morons at AFL house.

 

[GuruJosh]

Watched the stand rule video, no examples where there were multiple players within the 5m zone, so still unclear if its only one player that would be called to stand.

I assume so right?

Put them all on the mark one behind the other n open up the forward line lol

 

[Cmarsh]

Having watched the origin game, I do like them getting rid of centre bounces. Don't miss the having to recall it multiple times a game.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Having watched the origin game, I do like them getting rid of centre bounces. Don't miss the having to recall it multiple times a game.

Yep, I mean half the bounces going one side or the other was just silly. Throw it up and be done with it. I thought all the rules went well.

 

[PetterdHoisted]

Yep, I mean half the bounces going one side or the other was just silly. Throw it up and be done with it. I thought all the rules went well.

STAND going well?

Can’t get back to East-West quick enough to make things watchable again.

 

[GuruJosh]

STAND going well?

Can’t get back to East-West quick enough to make things watchable again.

Players are adjusting already last night I saw a couple of times players staying clear of the guy who was gonna mark it then running back defensively .

 

[LukeParkerno1]

STAND going well?

Can’t get back to East-West quick enough to make things watchable again.

I’m here or there with the stand but the only thing I hate is the umpire having to tell the players every two seconds.

 

[PetterdHoisted]

I’m here or there with the stand but the only thing I hate is the umpire having to tell the players every two seconds.

they would still be yelling 'EAST-WEST', or some variation, these days even without 'STAND'

I think it's treating professional adults like children playing musical chairs that makes 'STAND' so intensely annoying to hear

 

[LukeParkerno1]

they would still be yelling 'EAST-WEST', or some variation, these days even without 'STAND'

I think it's treating professional adults like children playing musical chairs that makes 'STAND' so intensely annoying to hear

That’s why my main issue is the calling. Pay the penalty straight away players will get it through their head they can’t do it coaches won’t cop it from players

 

[Section 5]

If I am running near the boundary and grab the ball then handball it into you feet deliberately and it comes off your foot and goes out of the full… should that be a free kick or not?

Surprised no one has answered that for you
That has always been a free kick since 1969.
Just unlucky

It's now unlucky if that happens accidently by foot or handball between the arcs and not touched before going out.
This situation is unlikely to happen much to be of concern

 

[GuruJosh]

Surprised no one has answered that for you
That has always been a free kick since 1969.
Just unlucky

It's now unlucky if that happens accidently by foot or handball between the arcs and not touched before going out.
This situation is unlikely to happen much to be of concern

I have seen a couple of these in the match sims where it has gone out off a foot between the arcs and it created umpire discussion

Surprised no one has answered that for you
That has always been a free kick since 1969.
Just unlucky

It's now unlucky if that happens accidently by foot or handball between the arcs and not touched before going out.
This situation is unlikely to happen much to be of concern

thanks section.
I have seen two of these in match sims and both have created discussion between umpires. Both between the arcs , one was awarded a free kick and one was deemed a throw in. I guess the question is is the accidental off the boot a disposal?

 

[Section 5]

thanks section.
I have seen two of these in match sims and both have created discussion between umpires. Both between the arcs , one was awarded a free kick and one was deemed a throw in. I guess the question is is the accidental off the boot a disposal?

Anything below the knee is classed as a disposal be it accidental or on purpose.
Goals are scored this way sometimes both on purpose and accidental.

Like any umpire decision they are not always in the right position to give a definitive answer even though lots of spectators can see it clearly especially very close to the boundary.

You don't want umpires guessing. Better to throw the ball back into play if not certain.

 

[JoondalupJ]

Agree to disagree I guess. I would say there are still a huge amount of high pressure games, there's even proper pressure ratings nowadays to show that. Reverting to rules twenty years ago would be like watching paint dry, with flooding and defensive dominance seeing sides lucky to get ten goals a game with quarters blowing out to forty minutes. It was obvious the trajectory of the game was going and to do nothing was to kill the game entirely.
The heart of the game is still there and strong, the rules still reward the player whose sole objective in the ball and move it forward to score. Contested play is still enshrined in our game when in dispute. I can tell you now the players have rolled with the improvements to the game, those drafted this year don't know any different.

Thats a great answer, really makes me think , what you said is true and tactics and player, supreme fitness makes some change necessary.
But I still think that some umpiring of the game is really hurt by the rules that appear at times to me, anyway, to be actually needing the question "why is that a free kick".
But it has become one of a few since the ruleshnave been changed and a lot over years
.
My main beef I guess is incidental and accidental instances where players are penalized for what looks like nothing or unavoidable or a bit of inertia.

And the stand rule, it appears to have a detrimental effect to defenders.
And should you not, be allowed to harass the player with the ball, the free against you is the penalty!

If a player on the mark wants to jump and yell or even get angry bounce sideways , isn't it that kind of the conflict of the sport. A contest?

Look I get what you mean, but, there are some things that need easing off.

I think defenders in general have it harder, and when the opposition has the ball
"everyone of you , all of your team becomes a defenders"

I think the bias is so instant with umpire whistles generally, it put defenders at a disadvantage.
Most of the time.

I'd like to see that eased up, and a little less killing of contact and contest.

The arm punch is in fact one thing that is an insult to footballers trying to defend, some foot passes and some forwards, are so good that the old joke for the backman or defending player?
Is "may as well stand and watch"

Because the free kick is waiting to be had. Bringing a shot on goal anyway?

Biggest beef, is watching the free kick change or win games. And they do at times.

 

[aCunningPlan]

Thats a great answer, really makes me think , what you said is true and tactics and player, supreme fitness makes some change necessary.
But I still think that some umpiring of the game is really hurt by the rules that appear at times to me, anyway, to be actually needing the question "why is that a free kick".
But it has become one of a few since the ruleshnave been changed and a lot over years
.
My main beef I guess is incidental and accidental instances where players are penalized for what looks like nothing or unavoidable or a bit of inertia.

And the stand rule, it appears to have a detrimental effect to defenders.
And should you not, be allowed to harass the player with the ball, the free against you is the penalty!

If a player on the mark wants to jump and yell or even get angry bounce sideways , isn't it that kind of the conflict of the sport. A contest?

Look I get what you mean, but, there are some things that need easing off.

I think defenders in general have it harder, and when the opposition has the ball
"everyone of you , all of your team becomes a defenders"

I think the bias is so instant with umpire whistles generally, it put defenders at a disadvantage.
Most of the time.

I'd like to see that eased up, and a little less killing of contact and contest.

The arm punch is in fact one thing that is an insult to footballers trying to defend, some foot passes and some forwards, are so good that the old joke for the backman or defending player?
Is "may as well stand and watch"

Because the free kick is waiting to be had. Bringing a shot on goal anyway?

Biggest beef, is watching the free kick change or win games. And they do at times.

When we attend training and get observed umpiring we are always told one of the most important things we can do is be predictable and clearly communicate with the players. Generally umpires who make it to the higher levels have a great feel for the game where if they can see a player about to do something silly they can pull them back into line, like get their foot on the line after an out on the full or bringing a player back a step or two on the mark if it is incidental...the tricky thing is these are all judgement calls where it is drummed into us that we apply the rules within 'the spirit of the game'. Usually it comes down to does the extra movement actually impinge the player with the ball or can I just bring them back without any issue? In cases where to the spectator a free is paid for an innocuous movement is usually a player who has had a brain fade, tried to be too clever by moving too much before play on is called or run so far over the mark it's taking the mickey. I know a lot of people watching on the telly dont think umpires have a feel for the game but anyone who has played local footy can tell you, there is a world of difference between a good one who just pays the obvious and warrented frees compared to the ones who are black and white.

Players are allowed to jump up and down on the spot, they can wave their arms around they can call their opponent names (within reason) so that pressure is still there if they want to do something.

I would say defenders dominate the game today with scoring fairly flat for the last decade or so, im a bit surprised to see they are hard done by. Usually there is a spare man in the backline so they have the advantage.

 

[jannissary]

yknow, while i think the last touch rule will be mostly contensious, i overall liked the rule changes that were made, especially in the ruck.

 

[Purple Suit]

yknow, while i think the last touch rule will be mostly contensious, i overall liked the rule changes that were made, especially in the ruck.

The ruck rule will be good for teams without a good ruck after all the PCL injuries.