AFLX guide: Players to watch, match times and rule changes

THE AFL’s answer to T20 cricket is here. But what does it all mean? From the rules changes, the almost-rule changes, who’s playing and the players to watch, here is everything you need to know.

We are ready for AFLX. Picture: Getty Images

THE AFL’s answer to T20 cricket is here.

AFLX will debut on Thursday night, and no one is really sure what to expect.

From the different field, to the rule changes, how the individual tournaments will run and the players to watch, here is everything you need to know about AFLX.

TEAM NEWS: WHO IS PLAYING AFLX?

SUPERCOACH: THE MATURE-AGE STARS

NOT HAPPY: CLUBS, STARS GIVE AFLX COLD SHOULDER

FIELD

Played on a rectangular pitch measuring 100-120m long and 60-70m wide with 40m arcs at either end and goalposts.

TEAMS

Consist of 10 players per team, with seven on the field at any one time and three interchange. Unlimited rotations.

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan at the AFLX launch. Picture: AAP Images

RULES

* 2 x 10 minute halves with no time on

* Last touch out of bounds free kick

* 25m penalties instead of 50m penalties

* Backwards kicks ruled as play on except for in forward 40m

* 10 points awarded for goals kicked from outside 40m

* Kick ins after every score

GAME NIGHT

* Six clubs at each round-robin “tournament” divided into two groups

* Teams play two games in group stage

* Winners of each group play off in grand final

* All games live on Fox Footy

Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide, February 15

A: Fremantle, Geelong, Port Adelaide

B: Adelaide, Collingwood, West Coast

Etihad Stadium, Melbourne, February 16

A: Carlton, Melbourne, North Melbourne

B: Essendon, Hawthorn, St Kilda

Allianz Stadium, Sydney, February 17

A: GWS, Richmond, Brisbane

B: Gold Coast, Sydney, Western Bulldogs

FIVE THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT AFLX

— It was shortened to AFLX after initially being dubbed AFL Express

— Secret trials were staged between VFL clubs Coburg and Port Melbourne to iron out the rules

— Retired North Melbourne captain Andrew Swallow suggested that 10-point goals kicked from outside 40m should have to cross the line on the full. The AFL agreed

— A ‘Power Play’ of 8 vs. 7 was considered, but the team with fewer players was able to slow the game down too easily

— Deliberate rushed behinds could cost 11 points, with a set-shot from 40m directly in front for a 10-point goal to follow the behind

Shaun Atley and Jack Billings at the AFLX launch. Picture: Getty Images

JAY CLARK’S PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Tom Doedee (Adelaide)

Athletic basketballer could slot straight into Jake Lever’s spot. Crows have long believed in his potential.

Cam Rayner (Brisbane)

That goal kicking talent needs to go on show early. Can make defenders look silly. AFLX debut would get Lions’ hearts pumping.

Jarrod Garlett (Carlton)

Could explode from day one. Has pure speed. Finally settled off field. AFLX ready.

Adam Cerra (Fremantle)

Classy midfielder is a big part of the Dockers’ next generation midfield plans. Polished performer could add finesse to hard nut Fremantle midfield.

Nakia Cockatoo (Geelong)

This Cat has some party tricks. Just needs to get hamstrings right.

Lachie Weller (Gold Coast)

They paid a huge price and would love to see Weller fire early. Need him putting balls on big forwards’ chests.

Jaidyn Stephenson (Collingwood)

Heart issues scared some clubs off at draft time, but he is an immense talent. Lots of outside flair and goal kicking nous.

Jaidyn Stephenson with Collingwood president Eddie McGuire. Picture: Getty Images

Tim Taranto (GWS)

We may have forgotten how good this kid looked for the early part of last year. Has a touch of Steve Johnson about him.

Jarman Impey (Hawthorn)

Flew under the radar at trade time. Has speed, power and versatility. Quick hands and dash would excite in AFLX.

Sam Weideman (Melbourne)

Melbourne need this man to partner Jesse Hogan in attack. Key forward has springboard athleticism.

Luke Davies-Uniacke (North Melbourne)

Onball brute will play a lot of games for the Kangas this year. Can go forward as well. AFLX will give him early taste of tempo.

Todd Marshall (Port Adelaide)

Athletic second-year key forward is still a developing prospect, but would enjoy the exposure of AFLX stage. Senior opportunities will be limited this year.

Shai Bolton (Richmond)

Excitement machine can razzle dazzle in traffic and near goals. Burst speed a big tick for AFLX format.

Nat Fyfe won’t play in the AFLX. Picture: AAP Images

STARS OUT

Fremantle star Nat Fyfe and St Kilda’s Jack Billings are out of the AFLX competition as teams continue to focus on youngsters for the new format. The Dockers originally named Fyfe in their squad for Thursday’s first six-team tournament in Adelaide, but he was pulled out early on Tuesday morning. After fronting the media at last week’s AFLX launch, Billings will not play on Friday night at Etihad Stadium because of a hamstring injury.

WHAT THE PLAYERS SAY:

Shaun Atley

“It is very up and back, there’s barely any stop-start,” he said.

“Usually if you kick a goal you’ll get a rest and then come back to the centre square but as soon as the goal’s kicked the other team’s bringing it back in so there’s definitely no rest so you need those interchanges.”

Jake Melksham

“We’ve done a few little trial matches in the last couple of weeks and we’ve found that it’s a really fast-paced game.

“We’ve found the trials a little bit tricky with blokes sort of forgetting a few things, but after a couple of trials — we’ve done three of them now — we’ve picked up on it and last week we had a few umpires come out and umpire the game, which helped.”

Lachie Whitfield

“It’s going to be exciting for blokes like me and Tom (Scully) who like running a bit.”