AFL makes mid-season change to holding the ball rule

The AFL has responded to growing angst from players and coaches by announcing a mid-season rule change that will come into effect from Thursday night.

The AFL has changed the holding the ball rule to give players in possession less time to dispose of the ball correctly before a free kick will be paid.

In a significant in-season rule change, the league on Tuesday told clubs umpires have been instructed to reduce the amount of “reasonable time” players have to kick or handball the footy.

It means free kicks for holding the ball will be paid more quickly and more frequently, helping speed the game up and preventing repeat stoppages.

The rule change will be effective immediately, meaning clubs will watch with interest when Port Adelaide host Carlton on Thursday night at Adelaide Oval.

Adelaide’s Lachlan Murphy tackles Tom Barrass. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

The league has been under fierce pressure in recent weeks from coaches, players and commentators who have lambasted the way umpires have taken too long to pay holding the ball free kicks.

Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick was the most vocal on Saturday when he criticised how only four holding the ball free kicks had been paid in the Suns’ loss to Carlton.

The league said the rule change had been made because tacklers weren’t taking opposition players to ground as frequently to help limit the chance of hitting a player’s head in a dangerous tackle.

The league confirmed the change would take effect for Round 12 matches following high level meetings and umpire briefings this week.

Patrick Cripps tries to bust out of a tackle from Tom Green. Picture: Michael Klein

“The purpose of this note is to share with you the coaching that our umpires received today on holding the ball clarification and one aspect of holding the ball, which is reasonable time,” the AFL memo said.

“It has become clearer during the season that in discharging their duty of care whilst executing a tackle, tacklers are positively electing not to take tackled players to ground in the tackle, or are generally doing so in a reasonable way, including not using excessive force.

“Consequently, we are seeing players holding onto the ball slightly longer, challenging the definition of reasonable time.

“We are grateful to the players adapting to these rules and also to the coaches for coaching the players to tackle in this manner as it is important that we continue to protect the health and safety of the players.”

The rule change is likely to be warmly welcomed by clubs, coaches and players.

Originally published as AFL makes mid-season change to holding the ball rule