The AFL announced a crackdown on runners on Wednesday, with a number of clear guidelines to reduce situations where runners find themselves interfering with play.
The guidelines will not allow runners to be within 25m of a stoppage. They will also not be allowed within the 50m arc during stoppages and will be expected to be off the ground as the ball is bounced to restart play after a goal.
But Kennedy told Melbourne radio station SEN there will not be drastic shift in the way the rule is interpreted by the umpires.
"There'll be no change in regards to free kicks to what we've already been doing this year," Kennedy said on Friday morning.
"If a runner interferes with play or he interferes with a player or even the umpire, that's when a free kick will be paid.
"We'll continue on doing exactly what we've been doing.
The AFL's intention is to avoid situations like what happened a fortnight ago, with contact ensuing between Carlton's Mitch Robinson and Geelong runner Nigel Lappin.
Kennedy said there would be clear dialogue between the umpires and runners out on the ground.
But ultimately the umpire's focus will be on trying to pick out the free kick that occurs at a stoppage.
"If [the umpire] is in a position where [he] can speak to the runner, who's not doing the right thing, speak to him, but our ultimate responsibility is to pay the free kick that's paid at the stoppage," Kennedy said.
"If he's trying to get out, we'll leave it, if he's stationary, then we can yell out and tell him to get out of the area.
"I just want to stress that the free kicks aren't going to change to what they've been. If we can speak to the runner, we will, but we want to get the free kick that occurs."
As spelled out on Wednesday, the following conditions will now apply:
- When the football is bounced to start a quarter or recommence play after a goal, runners must either be off the playing arena, or in the process of exiting the playing arena.
- If a runner is on-field when a stoppage occurs, they must not position themselves within 25m of the stoppage.
- Runners must not position themselves inside the 50m arc for any inside 50m stoppage (runners must vacate the 50m arc, or clearly be in the process of vacating the area, prior to the ball up or boundary throw in).
- A runner is permitted to deliver messages from the coach, but is not permitted to instruct, direct or coach players on "in-play" situations.
- A runner must leave the ground immediately when directed to do so by an umpire.
Twitter: @AFL_BenGuthrie
