EFL: Eastern Football League set to bring in 6-6-6 starting positions in 2019
Melbourne’s largest local football league is set to follow the AFL’s lead and introduce a package of rule changes in 2019. Here’s what the changes will mean for clubs.
Eastern
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The Eastern Football League is set to follow the AFL’s lead and introduce a package of rule changes in 2019.
The EFL will next season have set starting positions at centre bounces.
Teams must have six players in both 50m arcs, four in the centre square and two on the wings and can only drop players back into defence after the bounce.
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Players will also no longer be required to kick the ball to themselves at kick-ins and will be free to run straight out of the goalsquare.
When a player marks the ball deep in defence, the man on the mark will also be stationed in line with the top of the goalsquare, a move the league hopes will create free-flowing play.
Players will also be able to place their hands in an opponent’s back, but not push them, to help create more one-on-one contests.
The rules are expected to be approved at a board meeting on December 3 and would be introduced in every division, as well as junior football.
Incoming EFL chief executive Troy Swainston said the initiatives were aimed at increasing scoring and promoting an attacking style of play.
“I think a couple of the rules simplify the game and take it back to the traditional way football was played,” Swainston said.
“We see the benefits of the traditional forward line set up and we’d like to see people spread out across the ground rather than congesting the game up the way it has been over the last few years and in the AFL.”
EFL head of umpiring Scott Van Noordennen welcomed the initiatives to speed up the game.
“It takes away some congestion by having zoning but also allows for faster plays out of the defence by allowing the player to run out of the square,” Van Noordennen said.
“We think those things are all positives for the game.”
A free kick will be paid to the ruckman in the middle of the ground should a team have more than six players in a zone at a centre bounce.
Other competitions are considering which rules, if any, will be adopted next year.
AFL Victoria community football and development manager Stephen O’Donohue said new rules for 2019 were currently under review.
“Our normal policy is that the rules are applied as written, however if a community league believes that they have a reason why a rule will not work in their competition, applications are able to be made to the AFL for an exemption,” O’Donohue said.
The AFL last month introduced nine new rule and interpretation changes for next year in a bid to create a more instinctive game.
However, the EFL has decided against adopting some rules the AFL introduced.
Players won’t be able to kick a snap or check-side shot at goal if they mark after the siren, while the EFL has not introduced the rule that allows ruckman to grab the ball out of a bounce or throw-in without being penalised for holding the ball if tackled.
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