The 2010 NAB Cup and NAB Challenge competitions will see matches played in all states and territories with an emphasis on three trial rules for examination.
The AFL Commission, following a recommendation by the Laws Committee, determined there would be no significant changes to the Laws of the Game for the 2010 regular seasonr, however the NAB Cup would continue to be used as an opportunity for the AFL to examine potential rule options.
Following an extensive period of consultation through 2009, AFL Football Operations Manager Adrian Anderson said the details on each rule to be trialled were as follows:
1. Boundary Umpires permitted to award free kicks for holding and high contact infringements at stoppages
Mr Anderson said boundary umpires can be in a good position for viewing these situations and this change will allow them to award free kicks when holding or high contact infringements are detected. Boundary umpires will be trained up on this skill over the pre-season.
2. Advantage Rule - Player, not Umpire, decides if there is an advantage
“The current advantage rule can often be confusing because it requires a subjective assessment by the umpire of whether a player has an advantage.
“Under the trial, if a player elects to take the advantage the play will be allowed to continue. This puts the onus on the coaches and players to decide whether or not they will take the advantage in any given situation.”
3. Holding the ball paid against a player who drags the ball underneath his opponent
“Clubs have confirmed the prevalence of a player dragging the ball underneath their opponent in an attempt to gain a free kick. On some occasions the player on the bottom has been incorrectly penalised and this tactic is against the spirit and intent of the holding the ball rule,” Mr Anderson said.
The AFL has fixtured the opening round of the NAB Cup over a two-week period so as to enable a greater number of prime television slots for the broadcast of matches, as well as being able to avoid day-time heat wherever possible in the late summer months.
