New rules to free up game for women

THE AFLW will adopt eight of the nine rule changes rubber-stamped for the 2019 men’s season with the league confident the tweaks will crack open scoring this summer.

AFLW boss Nicole Livingstone yesterday said the league would also bring in two specific rule adjustments of its own after last season became marred by low-scoring, congested matches.

The two new AFLW-focused rule changes relate to for last disposal between the 50m arcs, while throw-ins will also be brought in by 10m.

The last touch rule now only applies between the 50m arcs. From now on the ball will be thrown in when the football crosses the boundary line inside an attacking 50m. This is hoped to encourage open play.

Of the AFL rules changes for 2019, the only rule the AFLW will not adopt is to ban runners and water carriers.

With the season starting in February, AFLW will still allow runners and water carriers to enter the playing surface during live play due to warmer weather and the “extra instruction” the players require during the match.

The other adjustment to the AFL rules changes is for the traditional playing positions at the centre bounce, with AFLW to adopt a 5-6-5 set-up rather than 6-6-6. AFLW clubs only field 16 players.

Livingstone said the league hoped the changes would lead to a more “free-flowing” game and higher scoring, which has been an issue in the competition’s first two seasons.

“We are still at the very early development stage of this league and our objective is to create free-flowing play,’’ Livingstone said.