New AFL rules to come into local footy

The AFL has set a national directive for all States and Territories to adopt the new rule changes around “player standing the mark” and “location of the mark at kick ins” for the 2021 season, and consequently all States and Territories have endorsed the national direction.

The “player standing the mark” rule will only apply to open age competitions, i.e. Seniors, Reserves, and Women’s, but not Under 17.

The “location of the mark at kick ins” will apply to all four grades in the Senior Competition, and also to matches in the Junior Competition that are played on a full sized field.

Click here to find a detailed explanation of both of the new rules that will be in force for the 2021 season.

In all Senior and Women’s practice matches that are played locally the Umpires will take a lenient approach to the “player standing the mark” rule. Rather than awarding a distance penalty if the player on the mark moves before “play on” is called, the Umpires will re-set the mark and explain the issue. A distance penalty will only be awarded in practice matches where the offence is blatant or the same player has already been warned previously.

During the one practice match played in the region to date, there were only two instances where a player moved before the “play on” call was made. It’s not anticipated that this new rule will have a significant negative impact on local matches.

The “player standing the mark” rule will be played fully during the Festival of Footy round robin to be staged on Saturday 17 April, and from round one of the competition which is on Saturday 24 April.

Summaries of the rule changes also made at both state and local level can be found here.