We've experienced the introduction of the new rules over the last two weeks in the JLT series, but what worked out of new key rules that were inducted into our game last October.
Kick ins
The rule that allowed players to freely run out of the square during kick ins always looked like a good one to bring, especially over extending the goal square. It certainly increased kicking distance and players were made to stand the mark a further five meters back, making for an increased run-ups for players with their teams kicking in duties.
Verdict - Tick
6-6-6 starting positions
The rule that caused the most controversy over the summer seems to be repaying faith to supporters, with the new interpretation receiving a warm reception from coaches, supporters and most importantly, players. Collingwood's Adam Treloar endorsed he rule AFL 360, saying it "creates more space" after his team's four-point win over Carlton. The touch-and-go rule will be the foundations to more high-scoring games with the JLT series averaging a score of 88.8 points a game, up from 84.6 in last years home and away season. Some good signs early signs.
Verdict - Tick
Runners and water carriers restrictions
It has not had the warmest reception with veteran players Luke Hodge and Jordan Lewis and Bulldogs coach Luke Beverage hitting lashing out and calling for it to be revoked before seasons starts. On Tuesday, AFL football operations boss Steve Hocking landed on a decision to stick with their new set of rules:
"We're not going to move away from that. It was done for very deliberate reasons, and that was to open the game up. It was done to make sure players had opportunities to be instinctive, done to provide coaches with strategic tension and different scenarios to work through and also done for the fans."
The feedback hasn't been all negative, with Bombers captain Dyson Heppell backing the radical rule.
“If the runners stays the way it is, teams that are super well drilled and have that strong leadership to be able to make calls on ground, I think that’ll be quite a benefit to them,” he told Garry Lyon and Tim Watson on SEN.
Verdict - Cross
50 meter interpretation
The radical new change went into the pre-season looking as though it will only make a small difference to our redeveloped game, but left leaving us puzzled. The new rules released in October stated:
-The player with the ball must be allowed to advance the mark by 50m without the infringing player delaying the game.
-The player with possession of the ball will be able to play on while the 50m penalty is being measured out.
The rule(s) seem pretty straight forward, right? Well, not quite. The rule came under scrutiny when the Kangaroos faced the Power at Alberton Oval on Saturday afternoon. A free kick and 50m penalty was paid against the Roos. As the umpire was marking out the penalty, he whacked Shaun Higgins with another 50m penalty for impeding the protected area, resulting in a vital goal for the Power.
The new interpretation was labelled a "disgrace" by Fox Footy analysts David King and Gerard Healy, claiming: “This rule has got the capacity to create a few issues in the first couple of weeks (of the home and away season)."
Verdict - Cross
