The AFL have today written to clubs communicating an adjustment and clarification to the Protected Area 50m penalty adjudication when there are two players from opposing teams who enter the area together.
The rule has always permitted a defending player to follow their opponent into the protected area provided they are within 2 metres of each other.
In the instances where a “split” occurs and the defender continues to run through and clear the protected area, the umpires will no longer pay a 50m penalty in these circumstances.
The defender still needs to vacate the protected area immediately – and not delay or linger.
Tigers player turns and leaves Bombers player to draw a Protected Zone 50m penalty. This is no longer a 50 against the Bombers player.
