The pre-season competition will be distinctly different this year, with 18 games in 18 days slated for 13 venues around Australia, including several at regional venues. Each club will play two matches, with a minimum six-day break between games. All matches will be broadcast live on Fox Footy.
Click here for the 2014 NAB Challenge fixture
Unlike previous years, there will be no Grand Final to crown a pre-season a night series premier. That also means the Michael Tuck Medal, presented to the best player in the Grand Final since 1992, will not be awarded.
The nine-point 'supergoal', a feature of the pre-season competition in recent years, will again be in play. There were 53 'supergoals' kicked from outside the 50m arc during last year's NAB Cup.
The introduction of the interchange cap limit will provide an added point of interest during the NAB Challenge as clubs come to grips with restrictions on bench moves.
Unlike previous years, there will be no Grand Final to crown a pre-season a night series premier. That also means the Michael Tuck Medal, presented to the best player in the Grand Final since 1992, will not be awarded.
The nine-point 'supergoal', a feature of the pre-season competition in recent years, will again be in play. There were 53 'supergoals' kicked from outside the 50m arc during last year's NAB Cup.
The introduction of the interchange cap limit will provide an added point of interest during the NAB Challenge as clubs come to grips with restrictions on bench moves.
Clubs to watch in the NAB Challenge
Rotations for the NAB Challenge will be set at 130, dropping to 120 for the home and away season. There will be no restriction on the number of interchanges per quarter during the pre-season.
Teams will be permitted to field squads of 26 players per game, with eight players on the interchange bench (two of them being substitutes). Coaches will be allowed to 'reset' their substitutes at half-time.
The AFL announced rule changes relating to body contact at the end of last year, with these to be in place during the NAB Challenge.
Rotations for the NAB Challenge will be set at 130, dropping to 120 for the home and away season. There will be no restriction on the number of interchanges per quarter during the pre-season.
Teams will be permitted to field squads of 26 players per game, with eight players on the interchange bench (two of them being substitutes). Coaches will be allowed to 'reset' their substitutes at half-time.
The AFL announced rule changes relating to body contact at the end of last year, with these to be in place during the NAB Challenge.
Challenging times for the 18 clubs
For example, "a player electing to bump will be cited for rough conduct if contact comes via a head clash". Players will be instructed that a head clash should be reasonably foreseen when bumping.
Contact with the legs has also been addressed, with a free kick to be paid if a player makes forceful contact below the knees or acts in a manner likely to cause injury, even if contact ?does not occur. Also, changes have been made to discourage players from seeking to draw forceful high contact.
The NAB Challenge starts on Wednesday, February 12, with Geelong hosting Collingwood at Simonds Stadium at 7pm (AEST).
For example, "a player electing to bump will be cited for rough conduct if contact comes via a head clash". Players will be instructed that a head clash should be reasonably foreseen when bumping.
Contact with the legs has also been addressed, with a free kick to be paid if a player makes forceful contact below the knees or acts in a manner likely to cause injury, even if contact ?does not occur. Also, changes have been made to discourage players from seeking to draw forceful high contact.
The NAB Challenge starts on Wednesday, February 12, with Geelong hosting Collingwood at Simonds Stadium at 7pm (AEST).
