2013 Rule Changes
The following AFL Laws of the Game changes will be adopted within Worksafe AFL Victoria Country competitions in 2013.
- 1. Forceful contact below knees
A free kick will now be awarded against any player under existing Law 15.4.3a (ii) Prohibited Contact, who makes forceful contact below the knees of an opponent (this does not apply to smothers with the hands or arms).
v Umpires to penalise players who make forceful contact below the knees that is deemed to be reckless, likely to cause injury, careless, unrealistic attempt, prime objective is not the ball.
v Umpires to NOT penalise players who make forceful contact below the knees where contact is deemed to be coincidental, realistic, where the player’s prime objective is the ball. PLAYER INTENT IS PARAMOUNT!
- 2. Separation of rucks
Ruckmen will now be separated at stoppages, with no contact permitted until the ball leaves the umpire’s hand.
Ruckmen are to be at least one metre apart at all ruck contests.
Umpires may ask for teams to nominate a ruckman at field ball ups and boundary throw ins. Failure to do so will result in a free kick being awarded to the opposition team.
The following interpretation changes will impact on current practices within community football competitions will also be adopted within AFL Victoria Country affiliated competitions.
- Ø Protect the ball player by awarding a free kick for ‘in the back’ or ‘high contact’ against player who sits or lies on top of tackled player including if they end up in that position following the execution of a tackle (having an arm across is permitted).
- Ø Stricter interpretation of holding the ball where player is tackled but doesn’t make a genuine attempt to kick or handball (including throwing/dropping/placing the ball).
- Ø Free kick against a player for dragging or pushing the ball under their opponent
- Ø Stricter enforcement of protected area around the player with the ball
v If in the protected area, a player who is leaving this area raises his arms and interferes in any way then he would be penalised with a 50 metre penalty.
v If in the protection area, a player raises his arms and this does not have any effect then he would not be penalised.
v A player can only enter the protected area when following an opponent and must be within 2 metres of that opponent.
- Ø Reduce time allowed for kick ins to 5-6 seconds (from when flags are waved) to be consistent with kicks around the ground.
- Ø Other amendments to reduce ‘dead’ time and increase % ball in play:
v Minimise delays due to blood rule by allowing replacement player to come on immediately after blood rule is indicated by umpire, and not allowing excess time for injured player to exit the field (but still allowing sufficient time to assist injury management).
v Stricter enforcement of 30 second limit on set shots at goal.