The AFL today wrote to all clubs to advise the AFL Commission had considered a number of matters around the Laws of the Game for the 2014 Toyota AFL Premiership Season, with the key focus on player safety and long-term health.
AFL General Manager Football Operations Mark Evans said the Commission had approved a number of changes to current interpretations of the Laws as follows to further protect players from head and serious lower leg injuries:
- Rough Conduct, Head Clashes – A player electing to bump will be cited for rough conduct if contact comes via a head clash, and players will be instructed a head clash should be reasonably foreseen when bumping.
- Forceful Contact Below Knees – A free kick to be paid where a player makes forceful contact below the knees or acts in a manner likely to cause injury, even if contact does not occur.
- High Contact – Changes to discourage players from seeking to draw forceful high contact.
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