The AFL have introduced a rule that will limit a runners' time on the field during the JLT Community Series, with the League open to making the change permanent in time for the home-and-away season.
Runners will now only be able to send out messages after goals and during quarter time breaks, according to a report in The Age.
A memo was sent to all clubs around the league, and detailed the following stipulations:
“Runners will only be permitted to enter the playing arena after a goal has been signalled and at the breaks,” the memo began.
“Runners must be off the playing arena (or clearly making their way off) at the centre bounce after a goal.
"This will be trialled during the JLT Community Series and may be implemented for the premiership season."
Clubs will also be allowed just one runner per game.
AFL football operations boss Steve Hocking spoke on the issue before the AFLW season began, and said the importance of runners was going to be put under the microscope.
“I really like a pure game, so my thinking is that the game just continues to evolve and all these layers continue to be added," Hocking said.
"I like to intervene and just ask the question: 'What is the purpose of the runners?'"
"My view is it is an extension of coaching: is it being used that way?
"The really good clubs do most of their work during the week throughout the season and make sure all their 'what if' scenarios have been workshopped right down to a finite level and that then empowers the team because effectively they are in charge come game day."
The opening JLT Community Series game takes place on February 24, with North Melbourne hosting Melbourne in Kingston, Tasmania.
