THE AFL's competition committee will meet this Thursday to finalise the recommended rule changes it will present to the Commission in a bid to tackle congestion next year.
It's believed the competition committee has narrowed its possible recommendations down to two rule changes: (a) six-six-six starting formations at every centre bounce; and (b) doubling the length of the goalsquare to 18m.
Both innovations were trialled in a series of recent VFL games, while the committee is also set to discuss how the use of runners can be better governed.
If the committee agrees to recommend rule changes, the Commission will consider those at its meeting in Grand Final week and likely make a final decision on whether they are introduced for the 2019 season.
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Also on the agenda for the committee's meeting this Thursday are proposed player movement changes, including a mid-season trade or draft period, and the 2019 fixture.
AFL football operations manager Steve Hocking has said repeatedly this year any rule changes for 2019 will be communicated to clubs by October.
The competition committee consists of club presidents Colin Carter (Geelong), Eddie McGuire (Collingwood) and Peggy O’Neal (Richmond); CEOs Andrew Fagan (Adelaide), Andrew Ireland (Sydney) and Justin Reeves (Hawthorn); senior coaches Chris Fagan (Brisbane) and Brad Scott (North Melbourne); football managers Chris Davies (Port Adelaide) and Craig Vozzo (West Coast); and players Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong, AFLPA president) and Steven May (Gold Coast).