Geelong star Tom Stewart says the AFL's crackdown on short kicks by umpires will inevitably return to "normalcy" despite the interpretation becoming stricter.
In the two Opening Round clashes, it was noticed that umpires were reluctant to call marks for kicks that barely made the 15-metre ruling.
It is understood, according toย AFL Media, that clubs were alerted that on-field adjudicators would have a firmer stance on short kicks, and that players should be weary.
Stewart noticed the revamped interpretation during the club's pre-season contest against Essendon at GMHBA Stadium.
And although it will be a focus in the early rounds of the season, the five-time All-Australian believes it will revert back to what it was.
"I'll say this with a bit of tongue in cheek," Stewart said.
"There's always a few rules that get really hard and fast at the start of the year, they say they're going to crack down on.
"But I think, by the time you get to Round 4 or 5, the loosening of the interpretations start to happen, and you refer to what is normalcy in footy.
"We experienced it a little bit in the Essendon game... You walk a fine line where 15 metres is and left up to the umpires' discretion, but I think we'll sort of see it revert back to the way it has been in the past."
Cats recruit Bailey Smith is also "jumping out of his skin" to play for his new club, according to Stewart.
After sitting out the entire 2024 campaign following an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear, Smith was arguably the largest profile in the trade space, and found a spot down the highway.
At his best, the 24-year-old has won games of football off his own boot, which jas excited his new teammates as to what he can bring to their side.
"He's jumping out of his skin," Stewart said.
"It's been long and challenging for him individually but ever since he's got to the club I've been really proud of the way he's applied himself to his craft and to his work.
"He's different with the way that he comes with the media attention and his character within society.
"But you can only speak so highly of the way that he's embraced our culture and come in and put his head down and got to work.
"He's really dragged a lot of the young boys along with him as well."
Smith will take his place as a genuine midfielder for the Cats, who also boasts the likes of emerging talents Max Holmes, Tanner Bruhn and Jack Bowes.
Coach Chris Scott also has Patrick Dangerfield, Cam Guthrie, Mitch Duncan, Mark Blicavs and Stewart at his disposal, with the latter lauding the club's versatility.
"Our biggest advantage is the ability to throw different names through different parts of the ground, whether it be me in the midfield or whoever it may be, that is our strength," Stewart said.
"The best thing in our team is our flexibility. We have added Bailey and Jack into the mix, and a lot of young players that are coming into their own with their maturity and bodies."
After a failed start in Opening Round due to Tropical Cyclone Alfred, Geelong will kick off their 2025 campaign on Saturday against Fremantle at GMHBA Stadium.
