Senior umpire Ray Chamberlain confirms that the new "interpretation" of holding the ball will result in Gold Coast defender Mac Andrew being rewarded for his tackle on Carlton's Charlie Curnow.
Players, coaches and fans were up in arms regarding how long umpires were giving players to dispose of the ball, prompting Damien Hardwick and Michael Voss to seek clarity from the league.
Clubs were on Tuesday night informed of the interpretation adjustment after weeks of criticism, which have been made to reward the tackler but also be realigned with the demands of the Match Review Officer (MRO) and the tribunal when it comes to dangerous tackles.
Speaking on SEN, Chamberlain said the evolution of the game has resulted in tweaks to the rule, responding to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of players.
"There's no rule change for the weekend, the rule is still the same," Chamberlain said.
"What has changed was that there's mechanisms within the law where you can adjust your interpretation to service the need of the game. And the game evolves.
"As a result of that, the game has to evolve from an umpiring perspective on field to meet the demand.
"The umpires are just an on-field instrument of philosophy and policy from above and now we've been afforded instruction and communication (from the league and all 18 clubs)."
With the tweaking of the holding the ball rule, Chamberlain is reminded of yesteryear, saying the new interpretation will "look like 2006".
โReasonable time and no genuine attempt was in lights within the umpiring fraternity," Chamberlain continued.
โIt was jammed down our throats. If a player had not had prior opportunity and was legally tackled and the ball wasn't pinned โ you pay holding the ball if they don't try to dispose of it.
โAnd if it is pinned you blow that whistle straight away and you ball it up.
โI think the adjustment will serve the game wonderfully well.โ
