7 new rules - AFL Rule Changes for 2026

[DangerSloane]

• Remove the requirement for a Player to start in the Goal Square at each centre ball-up - GOOD
• Introduce a Free Kick for the last disposal Out of Bounds in between the 50m arcs - QUESTION MARK
• 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 - GOOD
• Around the ground, the Umpire may restart play without a nominated Ruck being present - GOOD
• A shrug (in a tackle) will be deemed Prior Opportunity (i.e., as an attempt to evade or fend an opponent) - GOOD
• A Player must stand if they are within the Protected Area (i.e., within five metres) when a Mark or Free Kick occurs - BAD
• 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 - GOOD

Overall I think they're mostly improvements. I'll hold judgement on the last possession rule. Works well in SANFL but feel like its just a different interpretation problem than the one we already had with insufficient intent (ie if it touches someone's leg on the way out it sometimes counts and sometimes doesnt).

Ill add - Getting rid of the centre bounce - GOOD - Taking away barriers to entry to umpiring is important if we want the best decision makers and that is what the umpires are there for.

Just my opinion.

 

[terrybull]

Is the meaning of mark to catch a football an Australian word?

Noone else uses the word mark for a catch only us.

Wonder when we first used the word and why?

You can even go to other very Australian words for meanings of "catches".

Speccy,hanger.

Another others?

I think I read somewhere that the word “mark” for catching the ball came from the early days of soccer, maybe under Sheffield rules.

But the rule was any player could catch the ball but would mark where he put the ball on the ground to take a place kick. Thus it was called a mark.

The rules eventually changed to that only the goalkeepers are allowed to “mark” the ball. But as they aren’t required to mark or set the ball on the ground anymore it was just called a catch.

I reckon if you travel back to the 1860’s there probably wasn’t that much difference between the three football codes of soccer, rugby and Australian Football.

That we still call our code Rules is also unique as one time it was relevant when clubs met to decide what rules should they play under.

 

[Osho]

The 2nd last one (stand) will cause multi player and fan apoplecticisms throughout the year. May even cause hospitalizations, hyper tension, and bouts of rage and violence across the community.