The rule already exists – albeit without a time stipulation - but the AFL want it policed more fully to ‘improve the flow of the game’ and ‘reduce time wasting’. The rule committee contends that the effect on goal kicking accuracy will be marginal if any.
""I got a call from the AFL last night telling me they were going to monitor the rule more closely,"" Lloyd said. ""From what I understand umpires will be coming out to explain to players exactly what the new interpretation means so at this stage it is difficult to know exactly what it will mean.""
""But I am generally about the 30-second mark anyway – there have been exceptions - but usually that is about the mark so I don’t envisage I will need to make any change to the way I normally prepare. It will probably just be something to be conscious of.""
Essendon chief executive Peter Jackson said he was somewhat confused by the suggestion that the rule change would reduce time wasting.
""Umpires blow time on when a lot of these forwards are preparing to kick anyway so I don’t see how it is a time wasting issue,"" Jackson said. ""Kicking goals is how you win games of football you wouldn't want to lose a final because the umpire is hurrying a player to kick for goal instead of blowing time on.""
The rules changes for 2006 are:
Remove the requirement to wait for flags to be waved before bringing the ball back into play after a point.
Allow a shot at goal from directly in front if mark taken, or free kick paid, in the goal square.
Automatic re-start of’Time On’ from the time the umpire crosses arms to when the ball is bounced / thrown up.
Other interpretations to be policed are:
Reduced tolerance for holding players up after mark or free kick. (50m penalty)
Quicker boundary throw ins.
Less time taken to award a 50m penalty.
Stricter interpretation of deliberate kick out of bounds.
Stricter policing of holding and blocking in marking contests.
Focus on detection of infringements by taggers.
