Interchange cap, longer quarters: AFLW rule changes revealed

The AFL Commission has unveiled a bundle of rule changes that will affect the approaching AFLW season.

Longer quarters and a strict interchange cap headline a suite of rule changes introduced ahead of the upcoming AFLW season.

The AFL Commission met on Tuesday and approved a series of adjustments, writing to clubs on Thursday as the September season start approaches.

Quarters will run for about two minutes longer after being extended to 15 minutes (plus time on for goals or major injuries) before the existing final two minutes plus full time on.

The lengthened duration of play has led to time being shaved off the breaks, with quarter time and three-quarter time reduced by 30 seconds and halftime cut back from 16 minutes to 14 minutes.

It is understood the reduced breaks have been implemented in a bid to keep AFLW matches as close as possible to a two-hour slot as requested by broadcasters.

Time has been shaved off the breaks to keep AFLW matches close to two hours in duration. Picture: Dylan Burns / Getty Images

The competition will introduce its first interchange cap, with teams restricted to 60 rotations, while boundary umpires will now throw the ball in from 10m inside the boundary line when the ball goes out of play between the 50m arcs.

The “last touch out of bounds” rule will remain in the middle section of the ground, with runners now restricted to only three trips onto the ground per quarter for 90 seconds at a time until the final three minutes of each term.

AFL acting football operations boss Laura Kane said the changes would allow players to display more “flair” and act on their natural instincts.

“These rule adjustments will give supporters more of what they love – a balance between attack and defence, improved strategic tension, and encourage more instinctive play,” Kane said.

AFL acting football operations boss Laura Kane says the interchange cap of 60 will make games more exciting by allowing players more freedom. Picture: Michael Willson / Getty Images

“We have undertaken an extensive consultation process as we worked through these adjustments, including thorough discussions with AFLW senior coaches, the AFLW Competition Committee, and the AFLPA.

“Restricting runners’ access, extending quarter lengths, and introducing an interchange cap is designed to open up the game, which provides an opportunity for players to compete with more flair and have greater freedom to play on instinct.”

Changes have also been made to financial sanctions faced by players for low-level offences, with penalties increasing for second and third offences over a two-year period.

“Adjustments to the location of the boundary throw-ins within the 50m arcs will create more opportunities for teams to score from stoppages, while changes to our low-level sanctions for reportable offences will further prioritise the health and safety of AFLW players,” Kane said.

The eighth season of the competition begins in the AFL pre-finals bye on the opening weekend of September, with the fixture yet to be released by the league.

Players returned to pre-season training on May 29, with two new coaches officially starting in Lisa Webb (Fremantle) and Mathew Buck (Carlton).