Have the AFL's rule changes worked? Not exactly
Every year players, fans and football staffers await the new direction or interpretations handed down from high. Some changes are winners and stand the test of time — such as the 50 metre arc and the centre square.Others are destined for the dustbin of history, such as the flick pass and around the ground bounces.Regardless, change is never far from sporting administrators of different codes and sports. The AFL is not immune from this want to improve the sport.Rule changes among what's new in the AFL for 2026The new AFL season is only days away, and there are plenty of new things to get your head around.
- ▪Every year players, fans and football staffers await the new direction or interpretations handed down from high.
- ▪Some changes are winners and stand the test of time — such as the 50 metre arc and the centre square.Others are destined for the dustbin of history, such as the flick pass and around the ground bounces.Regardless, change is never far from s
- ▪The AFL is not immune from this want to improve the sport.Rule changes among what's new in the AFL for 2026The new AFL season is only days away, and there are plenty of new things to get your head around.
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Thu, 16 July10275→Fri, 17 July7187→Sat, 18 July75103→Sat, 18 July7692→Sat, 18 July9069→Sat, 18 July6993→Sun, 19 July52122→Sun, 19 July6877→Sun, 19 July6764→Thu, 23 July74108→Fri, 24 July19:40--→Fri, 24 July20:10--→Sat, 25 July13:05--→Sat, 25 July16:15--→Sat, 25 July16:35--→Sat, 25 July19:40--→Sun, 26 July13:10--→Sun, 26 July15:15--→ AFL Score Centre analysisTactical responses to AFL rule changes are minimising the effects on the gameBy Cody AtkinsonBy Sean LawsonTopic:AFLPosted Fri 24 Jul 2026 at 5:59pmFri 24 Jul 2026 at 5:59pmFri 24 Jul 2026 at 5:59pm, updated Fri 24 Jul 2026 at 6:06pmFri 24 Jul 2026 at 6:06pmFri 24 Jul 2026 at 6:06pmChanges to ruck rules were designed to open things out, but teams are learning to be better at limiting the damage out of the middle.
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