Rules Official 2024 season rule tweaks

[Frederico_WA]

Glad they're finally getting rid of whistling from the bench. Long overdue!!

Other than that, it looks like theres even more onus being put on players to control the outcomes of player-v-player contacts.

'Maynard rule' confirmed, run-down tackles in focus - 'Maynard rule' confirmed, run-down tackles in focus

Fend offs can also now be classed as an intentional strike.

Amendments to AFL Rules

The AFL has today formally written to clubs and briefed them on the confirmed amendments to the AFL Laws of the Game, AFL Tribunal Guidelines and AFL Regulations and Rules.

Clubs and the AFLPA were consulted for feedback on the proposed changes in December 2023 prior to submitting the amendments to the AFL Commission for approval yesterday.

A number of amendments were approved by the AFL Commission with key highlights of the changes included below.

Naming of the Sub

The sub will continue in 2024, and in an amendment to the announcement of teams, Clubs will now name an extended interchange bench of five players and three emergency players.

The sub will be confirmed 60 minutes prior to the match.

Tribunal/MRO – Amendments to the AFL Regulations and AFL Tribunal Guidelines  

Substantive changes have been made to the AFL Tribunal Guidelines in relation to smothers, run-down tackles and striking, aimed at making the game safer for players.

Smother Rule

In circumstances where a player elects to leave the ground  in an attempt to smother the football, any reasonably foreseeable high contact with an opponent that is at least Low Impact will be deemed to be Careless at a minimum, unless the player has taken all reasonable steps to avoid that high contact and/or minimise the force of that high contact (for example, by adopting a body position that minimises the force of the high contact).


Run Down Tackles

An area of concern in 2023 was instances of run-down tackles where the tackling player significantly contributed to the force with which the tackled player is driven to ground that were not sanctioned. The AFL has amended the Guidelines to state that there may be types of run-down tackles that are dangerous and which constitute a Reportable Offence (i.e. run down tackles where the tackled player is driven into the ground with excessive force).



Striking

In addition, the guidelines for the grading of striking have been strengthened to increase the onus on players to not commit a strike even when seeking to fend and push their opponent. In instances where a player intends to forcefully push or fend an opposition player off the ball (including to gain separation for the purpose of contesting the ball) and the effect is that the player “strikes” their opponent, the strike will usually be graded as Intentional rather than Careless.

Ruck contests

There will also be a change in interpretation of the Laws of the Game to permit straight arm blocks in a ruck contest, provided the player still contests the ball. 



Procedural Amendments

Previously, pursuant to the AFL Regulations, any Classifiable Offence where the impact is graded as Severe was referred directly to the Tribunal, with the MRO not specifying any sanction.

In instances where the AFL only seeks the minimum prescribed suspension on a Severe impact grading, at the AFL’s discretion the MRO will specify that the charged player may take an early plea and accept that sanction without a Tribunal hearing occurring. If the player seeks to challenge the charge, they may do so at the Tribunal in the usual way. 

The AFL will retain discretion to directly refer a Severe impact grading, in instances where the minimum prescribed suspension is sought, if it considers that the particular circumstances of the matter warrant it being heard and determined by the Tribunal. 

Additional Amendments to AFL Regulations  

Finals rankings

The in-finals ranking system used to determine the ‘home’ Club for the AFL and AFLW Grand Finals will be codified. 
Under the ranking system, the Clubs who win the Qualifying Finals will be the first and second ranked Clubs for the purposes of determining the home Club for Grand Finals. 

The two losing Clubs from the Qualifying Finals will be ranked in third and fourth position (third position will be the higher of the two Clubs on the Premiership Ladder). 

The two winning Clubs from the Elimination Finals will be ranked in fifth and sixth position (fifth position will be the higher of the two Clubs on the Premiership Ladder). 

Whistling from interchange bench

A minor amendment to the Regulations has been introduced prohibiting whistling from the Interchange bench. This change is a result of excessive whistling from club officials on the interchange bench.

All amendments approved by the AFL Commission to the Laws of the Game, AFL Tribunal Guidelines and AFL Regulations and Rules will be updated and come into effect immediately ahead of the start of the 2024 Toyota Premiership Season.

 

[GingerDocker]

Rucks being allowed to "stiff arm" their opponent in ruck contests will give an advantage to the bigger, lumbering guys.

I'm ok with that.

 

[TheLastCall]

Rucks being allowed to "stiff arm" their opponent in ruck contests will give an advantage to the bigger, lumbering guys.

I'm ok with that.

Let’s call that the Darcy Rule.

 

[estibador]

Smother Rule

In circumstances where a player elects to leave the ground  in an attempt to smother the football, any reasonably foreseeable high contact with an opponent that is at least Low Impact will be deemed to be Careless at a minimum, unless the player has taken all reasonable steps (for example, by wearing a Carlton jumper).

Edited for a bit more accuracy.

 

[Footypie32]

Rucks being allowed to "stiff arm" their opponent in ruck contests will give an advantage to the bigger, lumbering guys.

I'm ok with that.

I'm assuming the new fend-off rules will apply to this too. They'll want to be very careful where the place their hand.

 

[Rich01]

Thank god they are cracking down on run down tackles.
A real blight on what the afl are trying to do to make this more of a free flowing game.

Glad they got rid of the whistling though. A by product of them changing the rules to restrict runners onto the ground. Rule changes to protect rule changes.

 

[Lorenzo DMH]

These are good changes, even though they are probably better described as tweaks. The ruck change will be the most impactful change imo, much less confusion in ruck contests among fans and players. I will believe that the AFL has changed it's guidelines on smothers and run down tackles, resulting in head high contact, when penalizing players who inflect life-changing trauma on another player takes precedence over the possibility on a big Melbourne club winning a flag.

 

[Horizons_00]

You can change and alter all the rules you want to make the game "safer" and its good that we are trying to! But that's a bottomless pit. You cant eliminate the human element from a sports whether Laura wants to or not, mistakes cannot be stamped out as the players are not robots.

Once you start tweaking and changing stuff so much, it sometimes opens up a can of worms to change more and more as it never resolves enough or it can create a appetite to just make it safer and safer. The game will just be insufferable to watch. There is a difference between evolving and ruining the fabric of the game.

There could be a chance the game will become touch footy in the future lol (jks kind of)

 

[FlowersByIrene]

Glad they're finally getting rid of whistling from the bench. Long overdue!!

Other than that, it looks like theres even more onus being put on players to control the outcomes of player-v-player contacts.

'Maynard rule' confirmed, run-down tackles in focus - 'Maynard rule' confirmed, run-down tackles in focus

Fend offs can also now be classed as an intentional strike.

Amendments to AFL Rules

The AFL has today formally written to clubs and briefed them on the confirmed amendments to the AFL Laws of the Game, AFL Tribunal Guidelines and AFL Regulations and Rules.

Clubs and the AFLPA were consulted for feedback on the proposed changes in December 2023 prior to submitting the amendments to the AFL Commission for approval yesterday.

A number of amendments were approved by the AFL Commission with key highlights of the changes included below.

Naming of the Sub

The sub will continue in 2024, and in an amendment to the announcement of teams, Clubs will now name an extended interchange bench of five players and three emergency players.

The sub will be confirmed 60 minutes prior to the match.

Tribunal/MRO – Amendments to the AFL Regulations and AFL Tribunal Guidelines  

Substantive changes have been made to the AFL Tribunal Guidelines in relation to smothers, run-down tackles and striking, aimed at making the game safer for players.

Smother Rule

In circumstances where a player elects to leave the ground  in an attempt to smother the football, any reasonably foreseeable high contact with an opponent that is at least Low Impact will be deemed to be Careless at a minimum, unless the player has taken all reasonable steps to avoid that high contact and/or minimise the force of that high contact (for example, by adopting a body position that minimises the force of the high contact).


Run Down Tackles

An area of concern in 2023 was instances of run-down tackles where the tackling player significantly contributed to the force with which the tackled player is driven to ground that were not sanctioned. The AFL has amended the Guidelines to state that there may be types of run-down tackles that are dangerous and which constitute a Reportable Offence (i.e. run down tackles where the tackled player is driven into the ground with excessive force).



Striking

In addition, the guidelines for the grading of striking have been strengthened to increase the onus on players to not commit a strike even when seeking to fend and push their opponent. In instances where a player intends to forcefully push or fend an opposition player off the ball (including to gain separation for the purpose of contesting the ball) and the effect is that the player “strikes” their opponent, the strike will usually be graded as Intentional rather than Careless.

Ruck contests

There will also be a change in interpretation of the Laws of the Game to permit straight arm blocks in a ruck contest, provided the player still contests the ball. 



Procedural Amendments

Previously, pursuant to the AFL Regulations, any Classifiable Offence where the impact is graded as Severe was referred directly to the Tribunal, with the MRO not specifying any sanction.

In instances where the AFL only seeks the minimum prescribed suspension on a Severe impact grading, at the AFL’s discretion the MRO will specify that the charged player may take an early plea and accept that sanction without a Tribunal hearing occurring. If the player seeks to challenge the charge, they may do so at the Tribunal in the usual way. 

The AFL will retain discretion to directly refer a Severe impact grading, in instances where the minimum prescribed suspension is sought, if it considers that the particular circumstances of the matter warrant it being heard and determined by the Tribunal. 

Additional Amendments to AFL Regulations  

Finals rankings

The in-finals ranking system used to determine the ‘home’ Club for the AFL and AFLW Grand Finals will be codified. 
Under the ranking system, the Clubs who win the Qualifying Finals will be the first and second ranked Clubs for the purposes of determining the home Club for Grand Finals. 

The two losing Clubs from the Qualifying Finals will be ranked in third and fourth position (third position will be the higher of the two Clubs on the Premiership Ladder). 

The two winning Clubs from the Elimination Finals will be ranked in fifth and sixth position (fifth position will be the higher of the two Clubs on the Premiership Ladder). 

Whistling from interchange bench

A minor amendment to the Regulations has been introduced prohibiting whistling from the Interchange bench. This change is a result of excessive whistling from club officials on the interchange bench.

All amendments approved by the AFL Commission to the Laws of the Game, AFL Tribunal Guidelines and AFL Regulations and Rules will be updated and come into effect immediately ahead of the start of the 2024 Toyota Premiership Season.

God the AFL get worse and worse every year. All these rules are garbage what is "excessive" is just whatever the media or the AFL cronies deem excessive in a particular time. Someone needs to take the rules of the game out of the hand of these filth running the organisation.

 

[The Magnificent Seven]

Finally, someone brave enough to stop the whistling on the bench. Nothing more annoying...

(Next minute, officials start mooing like cows to find a loophole)

 

[juss]

Glad they're finally getting rid of whistling from the bench. Long overdue!!

Other than that, it looks like theres even more onus being put on players to control the outcomes of player-v-player contacts.

'Maynard rule' confirmed, run-down tackles in focus - 'Maynard rule' confirmed, run-down tackles in focus

Fend offs can also now be classed as an intentional strike.

Amendments to AFL Rules

The AFL has today formally written to clubs and briefed them on the confirmed amendments to the AFL Laws of the Game, AFL Tribunal Guidelines and AFL Regulations and Rules.

Clubs and the AFLPA were consulted for feedback on the proposed changes in December 2023 prior to submitting the amendments to the AFL Commission for approval yesterday.

A number of amendments were approved by the AFL Commission with key highlights of the changes included below.

Naming of the Sub

The sub will continue in 2024, and in an amendment to the announcement of teams, Clubs will now name an extended interchange bench of five players and three emergency players.

The sub will be confirmed 60 minutes prior to the match.

Tribunal/MRO – Amendments to the AFL Regulations and AFL Tribunal Guidelines  

Substantive changes have been made to the AFL Tribunal Guidelines in relation to smothers, run-down tackles and striking, aimed at making the game safer for players.

Smother Rule

In circumstances where a player elects to leave the ground  in an attempt to smother the football, any reasonably foreseeable high contact with an opponent that is at least Low Impact will be deemed to be Careless at a minimum, unless the player has taken all reasonable steps to avoid that high contact and/or minimise the force of that high contact (for example, by adopting a body position that minimises the force of the high contact).


Run Down Tackles

An area of concern in 2023 was instances of run-down tackles where the tackling player significantly contributed to the force with which the tackled player is driven to ground that were not sanctioned. The AFL has amended the Guidelines to state that there may be types of run-down tackles that are dangerous and which constitute a Reportable Offence (i.e. run down tackles where the tackled player is driven into the ground with excessive force).



Striking

In addition, the guidelines for the grading of striking have been strengthened to increase the onus on players to not commit a strike even when seeking to fend and push their opponent. In instances where a player intends to forcefully push or fend an opposition player off the ball (including to gain separation for the purpose of contesting the ball) and the effect is that the player “strikes” their opponent, the strike will usually be graded as Intentional rather than Careless.

Ruck contests

There will also be a change in interpretation of the Laws of the Game to permit straight arm blocks in a ruck contest, provided the player still contests the ball. 



Procedural Amendments

Previously, pursuant to the AFL Regulations, any Classifiable Offence where the impact is graded as Severe was referred directly to the Tribunal, with the MRO not specifying any sanction.

In instances where the AFL only seeks the minimum prescribed suspension on a Severe impact grading, at the AFL’s discretion the MRO will specify that the charged player may take an early plea and accept that sanction without a Tribunal hearing occurring. If the player seeks to challenge the charge, they may do so at the Tribunal in the usual way. 

The AFL will retain discretion to directly refer a Severe impact grading, in instances where the minimum prescribed suspension is sought, if it considers that the particular circumstances of the matter warrant it being heard and determined by the Tribunal. 

Additional Amendments to AFL Regulations  

Finals rankings

The in-finals ranking system used to determine the ‘home’ Club for the AFL and AFLW Grand Finals will be codified. 
Under the ranking system, the Clubs who win the Qualifying Finals will be the first and second ranked Clubs for the purposes of determining the home Club for Grand Finals. 

The two losing Clubs from the Qualifying Finals will be ranked in third and fourth position (third position will be the higher of the two Clubs on the Premiership Ladder). 

The two winning Clubs from the Elimination Finals will be ranked in fifth and sixth position (fifth position will be the higher of the two Clubs on the Premiership Ladder). 

Whistling from interchange bench

A minor amendment to the Regulations has been introduced prohibiting whistling from the Interchange bench. This change is a result of excessive whistling from club officials on the interchange bench.

All amendments approved by the AFL Commission to the Laws of the Game, AFL Tribunal Guidelines and AFL Regulations and Rules will be updated and come into effect immediately ahead of the start of the 2024 Toyota Premiership Season.

Our game gets lamer and lamer each year.

Can't wait for run down tackles and fend offs to lead to suspensions, what a game.

 

[Ulahoopski]

You can change and alter all the rules you want to make the game "safer" and its good that we are trying to! But that's a bottomless pit. You cant eliminate the human element from a sports whether Laura wants to or not, mistakes cannot be stamped out as the players are not robots.

Once you start tweaking and changing stuff so much, it sometimes opens up a can of worms to change more and more as it never resolves enough or it can create a appetite to just make it safer and safer. The game will just be insufferable to watch. There is a difference between evolving and ruining the fabric of the game.

There could be a chance the game will become touch footy in the future lol (jks kind of)

Yep. You've gotta think that one day someone will cop a brain injury from a knee to the head in a "speccy" attempt and that'll be the end of one of the greatest spectacles in our game. Surely players know that playing AFL comes with risks just as boxers or F1 drivers do. Trying to protect players from that risk by slowly changing the game into something that will become unrecognisable is ridiculous. Why aren't the people who actually play the game consulted about potential rule changes?

 

[Lorenzo DMH]

Yep. You've gotta think that one day someone will cop a brain injury from a knee to the head in a "speccy" attempt and that'll be the end of one of the greatest spectacles in our game. Surely players know that playing AFL comes with risks just as boxers or F1 drivers do. Trying to protect players from that risk by slowly changing the game into something that will become unrecognisable is ridiculous. Why aren't the people who actually play the game consulted about potential rule changes?

Two things strike me in this really, really dumb opinion:
1. The hypothetical that you outline, to my knowledge, has never occurred once and
2. If it did, why wouldn't suspend such a player be a bad thing? Why do you CTE defenders (because that is what you are doing) failing to note the human part of this. This discussion always both in online forums and in sports media, is always around the player who did the wrong things as opposed to the player that is lying on the ground, likely unconscious, and because of the collision that just happened, which could have been avoided with a little bit of self-control or better execution of the skill, with live a completely changed life, as a much different person, facing many mental issues and could lead to a family losing a sibling, a parent, a grandparent etc. far earlier than they should. All that is changed by these rules is the sport of Australian Football, by comparison, it is not the big of a deal. The game as always changed, it changes every 5-10 years through rule changes and different coaching styles and it is abundantly clear people like you can't realise the human element and can't take club bias away for the benefit of the people who play this sport at every level, not just in AFL.

I would rather watch a different but safer game, which will still have a physical contact, it is doable, don't just to your usual ridiculous notions, over a version of the game that is dangerous, causes untolds amount of suffering for many parties, why can't you people see that?

 

[_Mike_]

Tackling a player while running behind is a reportable offence.. FMD.... The particularly comment is merely an ancillary statement.

Whistling no longer allowed on the interchange bench?

If Dusty, for example, fends a off and contact is made high its a reportable offence ??

 

[Ulahoopski]

Two things strike me in this really, really dumb opinion:
1. The hypothetical that you outline, to my knowledge, has never occurred once and
2. If it did, why wouldn't suspend such a player be a bad thing? Why do you CTE defenders (because that is what you are doing) failing to note the human part of this. This discussion always both in online forums and in sports media, is always around the player who did the wrong things as opposed to the player that is lying on the ground, likely unconscious, and because of the collision that just happened, which could have been avoided with a little bit of self-control or better execution of the skill, with live a completely changed life, as a much different person, facing many mental issues and could lead to a family losing a sibling, a parent, a grandparent etc. far earlier than they should. All that is changed by these rules is the sport of Australian Football, by comparison, it is not the big of a deal. The game as always changed, it changes every 5-10 years through rule changes and different coaching styles and it is abundantly clear people like you can't realise the human element and can't take club bias away for the benefit of the people who play this sport at every level, not just in AFL.

I would rather watch a different but safer game, which will still have a physical contact, it is doable, don't just to your usual ridiculous notions, over a version of the game that is dangerous, causes untolds amount of suffering for many parties, why can't you people see that?

Thanks for your measured impersonal response .
How many times has a player knocked someone out as a result of an attempted smother? It's no stretch to think that if it happens in a marking contest the AFL could institute another reactive rule change.
As I said, all contact sport has associated risks that players are aware of. If you're going to partaker in any of them you know exactly what those risks are. If you're not prepared for the risk don't partake. Simple. Would you like to see punches to the head outlawed in boxing?
And what are these "usual ridiculous notions" I supposedly express?

 

[Leftyforlife]

I don't like the 'Maynard Rule' because I reckon that too much of it is left up to interpretation. They should make a definitive rule so that there is less wriggle room.

 

[Horizons_00]

View attachment 1900851

Tackling a player while running behind is a reportable offence.. FMD.... The particularly comment is merely an ancillary statement.

Whistling no longer allowed on the interchange bench?

If Dusty, for example, fends a off and contact is made high its a reportable offence ??

So, we just supposed to run after players and scream "stop!"?!!

She will only add more and more changes.

 

[_Mike_]

So, we just supposed to run after players and scream "stop!"?!!

She will only add more and more changes.

ridiculous changes IMO

 

[Lorenzo DMH]

Thanks for your measured impersonal response .
How many times has a player knocked someone out as a result of an attempted smother? It's no stretch to think that if it happens in a marking contest the AFL could institute another reactive rule change.
As I said, all contact sport has associated risks that players are aware of. If you're going to partaker in any of them you know exactly what those risks are. If you're not prepared for the risk don't partake. Simple. Would you like to see punches to the head outlawed in boxing?
And what are these "usual ridiculous notions" I supposedly express?

Well done on ignoring the whole point of my post. If you're not willing to note the human part of this issue and you don't care about that health of safety of human beings, it is clear that I am arguing with a bot. Simple.

 

[WilloTree]

Jeepers. That run down rule is atrocious.

 

[Ulahoopski]

Well done on ignoring the whole point of my post. If you're not willing to note the human part of this issue and you don't care about that health of safety of human beings, it is clear that I am arguing with a bot. Simple.

Maybe take off your angry hat and realise that the health and safety of human beings is risked in almost every sport and as I said, it's up to them to determine if they want to take that risk. I'm sure you realise that players sustain all sorts of injuries playing football. I did my ACL without any contact whatsoever. Are you so concerned about that possibility that you'd like to see a rule change that stops players from trying to change direction quickly? If not, does that mean you don't care about their health and safety? ACL injuries happen multiple times every year when concussion from an attempted smother happens happened ONCE.
I'm not sure that health and safety is your concern. It's more about your theory that the AFL only let's a "big Melbourne club" "get away with it".

 

[FlowersByIrene]

Two things strike me in this really, really dumb opinion:
1. The hypothetical that you outline, to my knowledge, has never occurred once and
2. If it did, why wouldn't suspend such a player be a bad thing? Why do you CTE defenders (because that is what you are doing) failing to note the human part of this. This discussion always both in online forums and in sports media, is always around the player who did the wrong things as opposed to the player that is lying on the ground, likely unconscious, and because of the collision that just happened, which could have been avoided with a little bit of self-control or better execution of the skill, with live a completely changed life, as a much different person, facing many mental issues and could lead to a family losing a sibling, a parent, a grandparent etc. far earlier than they should. All that is changed by these rules is the sport of Australian Football, by comparison, it is not the big of a deal. The game as always changed, it changes every 5-10 years through rule changes and different coaching styles and it is abundantly clear people like you can't realise the human element and can't take club bias away for the benefit of the people who play this sport at every level, not just in AFL.

I would rather watch a different but safer game, which will still have a physical contact, it is doable, don't just to your usual ridiculous notions, over a version of the game that is dangerous, causes untolds amount of suffering for many parties, why can't you people see that?

Because we're not cowards. Life isn't all rubber play matts and participation trophies. Life if hard, it makes the rewards better. People like you sicken me.

 

[D-N-R]

So, run down tackles from behind. Players, make sure you flop and maximise impact with the turf when caught. Easy free.

The fend off one will cause some angst. What is a fend off? Do they define it? Is it only when the arms are used? Is a fend off when you try and push a player off or when you instictively put your arm up to protect yourself from a player tackling you? How much will the momentum of players factor into the force of this strike? Will be plenty of flops with this one as well. And i think this will be the rule change that will be enforced in the regular season but then re-interpreted at finals time so some 'star' doesn't get rubbed out.