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AFL Fine-Tunes Seven Controversial Rules in a Bid to Reduce 'Dead Time' for the 2026 Season
Seven new rules aim to streamline play and reduce umpire guesswork, including a free kick for last disposal out of bounds between the 50-metre arcs in AFL games.
- On Oct 28, 2025, the Australian Football League approved seven rule changes for the 2026 season.
- After six months of consultation, Greg Swann, AFL executive general manager football performance, said clubs and industry stakeholders provided extensive feedback for the rule changes.
- The package removes the goal square at centre ball-ups and bars rucks from crossing the centre circle line before contesting, while players get eight seconds maximum to return the ball from a behind.
- Umpires will have clearer interpretations aimed at reducing total match length, while the insufficient intent rule remains in place inside the 50m arcs.
- The new last-disposal free-kick applies between the 50m arcs, awarding a free kick against players with the last disposal before the ball crosses the boundary, a rule used in AFLW and SANFL.
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Sydney Morning HeraldReposted by 
The Age
The AgeAFL announces seven rule changes to ‘enhance the flow’; Harley maintains party line on Tasmania stadium
The AFL has made a further seven changes to the rules and umpire interpretations for the 2026 season, including more measures to streamline the length of games. But there’s no change to the league’s demand for a new stadium in Tasmania.
·Sydney, Australia
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AFL fine-tunes seven controversial rules in a bid to reduce 'dead time' for the 2026 season
The AFL has announced major rule adjustments for the 2026 season. Find out how changes to the 'stand rule,' 'last disposal' and others will attempt to shave time off every match and reduce 'dead time.'
·North Carolina, United States
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Total News Sources16
Leaning Left5Leaning Right4Center1Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Left
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Left
50% Left
L 50%
R 40%
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