The NAB Cup will commence on Friday 11 February and will see the Lions face Essendon and St Kilda in a new format which involves the 18 teams involved splitting into six pools of three.
The teams that top their pools will automatically gain a place in the second round, while the two best-performing runners-up will also progress as wildcards.
The introduction of the video replay - for tough calls only - is the newest innovation among four rules the League will trial throughout the month-long pre-season competition.
The AFL will also trial one rule for the first week of the competition only.
However the goal umpires' ability to call for help is the biggest innovation. Under the trial rule any official unsure of a scoring decision will have the ability to consult with the game's official scorer.
The official scorer will then consult a video replay if it is immediately available.
The League's decision comes after calls for the introduction of video technology last season.
In round one of the NAB Cup the team that last touched the ball before it goes out of bounds will be penalised under another trial rule.
If the umpire is unclear who touched it last, if the ball is spoiled in a marking contest or if the ball goes out of bounds as a result of a smother then a throw-in will occur.
Among other trial rules; boundary umpires will again have the power to pay free kicks at stoppages, players will have the option to take a 50m penalty from outside the arc or shoot for nine points while the holding-the-ball rule will again be in focus.
2011 NAB Cup trial rules and explanations:
1. A player awarded a 50m penalty which takes them inside the 50m area can elect either to kick from outside 50 for nine points, or kick from inside 50 for six points
It was felt that a player awarded a 50-metre penalty which would advance him inside 50, should be given the opportunity to decide whether he kicks from outside 50m for nine points, or take the full 50m penalty to kick from inside 50 for six points.
2. Official scorer can assist with scoring decisions by reference to technology
If a video replay is immediately available, the goal umpire can consult with the official scorer to determine the correct decision. There is no avenue for players to refer decisions.
3. Boundary umpires pay free kicks for holding and high contact at stoppages
As an extension to the 2010 NAB Cup trial, boundary umpires may pay free kicks for obvious holding or high contact infringements. They will not pay any other form of free kick.
4. Free kick against player who drags or holds ball under opponent
As an extension of the rule trialled in the 2010 NAB Cup, the umpire may pay a free kick against a player who drags the ball under his opponent, and may also pay a free kick against a player who holds a ball under his opponent, when he is trying to knock it out.
5. Last touch out of bounds
To be trialled in the first round of matches only, a free kick will be paid against the last player to touch the ball before it went out of bounds. A free won’t be paid if the umpire is unable to determine who touched the ball last, if the ball goes out of bounds from a spoil after a marking contest or if the ball goes out of bounds as a result of a defensive smother to a kick or a handball.
To view the fixture for the 2011 NAB Cup, click here.
