MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 16: Michael Firrito of the Kangaroos is tackled and is pinged in the early stages of the clash as he handballs the ball straight through the goals and was called for a deliberate rushed behind during the round 17 AFL match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Port Adelaide Power at Etihad Stadium on July 16, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

The AFL has confirmed reports it will trial a new penalty for deliberate rushed behinds during the first two rounds of the JLT Community Series.

Under the new rule, following a deliberate rushed behind, a point will be awarded and there will be a ball up five metres in front of the goal square, rather than a free kick awarded on the goal line.

During the third week of the JLT Community Series, the league will revert back to a free kick being awarded following a rushed behind, with AFL then set to analyse the results.

Many in the AFL world believe a free kick on the goal line, resulting in almost a certain goal, is too harsh a penalty for a rushed behind, forcing the league to rethink the penalty.

The AFL has clarified the rules around a rushed behind, with umpires set to penalise a player if:

-       he rushed a behind from beyond the goalsquare

-       he had time and space to dispose of the ball

-       he was not considered to be under pressure

-       a player in a ruck contest hit the ball on the full over the line