An umpire signals for holding the ball. Picture: Darrian Traynor, AFL Photos

IN TODAY'S AFL Daily, journalists Nathan Schmook and Josh Gabelich join all the dots on football's big issues.

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- Why the timing's 'fantastic' for the AFL's rules announcement
- Which teams will be best suited by the umpires' focus on prior opportunity?
- 'Plenty of whispers' emerging from the Gabba about Hipwood's recovery

In this episode...

0:00 – Brad Scott announces adjustments in rule interpretations

1:50 – The "terrific timing" of this announcement

2:28 – How these announcements impact ball movement

4:20 – A "grey area" that umpires will have to be aware of

6:27 – What the crackdown means for head-high contact

9:20 – Eric Hipwood targets an early-season return