SANFL to introduce four-player interchange, increase rotations cap and adopt other AFL rule changes
The SANFL has broken with tradition and will make a key rule change to align with the AFL next season, with other changes to move closer to the national competition also set to be introduced.
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The SANFL has broken with tradition and will increase the interchange bench from three to four players next season for the first time in league history.
Increased player rotations, adoption of the AFL’s third man up rule and penalties for 6-6-6 position infractions at centre bounces will also be introduced in the 2020 season.
The rule changes, which will affect both the league and reserves competitions, were announced on Wednesday after approval by the SA Football Commission.
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The SANFL now joins the AFL, VFL and WAFL in having a four-player interchange after previously resisting to align with the national competition’s move to 22-player match day team sizes, introduced in 1998.
The SANFL changed from two on the bench to three in 1995.
SANFL football operations manager Tom Hurley said increasing the bench would reduce the impact on injury on the outcome of a match, while also spreading loads across more players and allowing more talent to feature at league level.
“Not only does this amendment create alignment with all other state league competitions plus the AFL and provide an additional opportunity for a player at league and reserves level each week, it minimises the influence of injury or injuries, particularly those incurred earlier in the match,’’ Hurley said.
The interchange cap, first introduced in 2016, will also be lifted from 60 rotations per match to 75 as a result of the extra man on the bench.
The SANFL will also align closer to AFL regulations by adopting the “third man up” rule in ruck contests to ensure only two players – one from each team – compete at each stoppage.
Teams will also be warned for not adhering to 6-6-6 starting positions before a punishment of a free kick and 50m is given for transgressing again, in line with AFL procedure.
However, Hurley confirmed the SANFL’s last disposal out of bounds and 25m penalty rules will remain for next season.
In SANFLW, the anti-density policy will remain to reduce congestion but the SANFL’s Umpiring Department will be reviewing the enforcement of the policy after kick-ins, particularly revising the penalty from a breach to a free kick at the 50m line rather than 30m in front of goal.