AFL fans got their first 'official' look at the league's seven new rules when Western Australia and Victoria clash at Optus Stadium on Saturday night.
The officiating of the newly introduced last disposal out of bounds was of much focus in the lead-up to AFL Origin, and didn't take long to be part of the night, while the clamp down on the stand rule and shrugging in tackles have also been points of discussion ahead of the new season.
Here's how the AFL's seven newest rules took shape in the earliest look for fans in 2026...
Shrugging in the tackle
Rule: A shrug (in a tackle) will be deemed Prior Opportunity (i.e., as an attempt to evade or fend an opponent)
There didn't seem to be a standout contentious incident from the night relating to the new shrugging/holding the ball interpretation.
West Coast captain Liam Baker was pinged for holding the ball in the third term after managing to avoid a Toby Greene tackle, only for Bailey Smith to soon benefit from Baker's first evasion with his own tackle attempt immediately after.
The decision seemed fair, and, perhaps, one that would've still been paid last year.
"It feels a hot decision but you brush the first one off, there's your prior."
🗣️ Kane Cornes on the Liam Baker HTB call | #AFLOrigin pic.twitter.com/imuF1FSqTf
— 7AFL (@7AFL) February 14, 2026
