The AFL today announced a number of updates to the laws of the game ahead of the 2026 AFL Premiership Season 📝 Read more on changes to out of bounds, ruck contests and holding the ball rules:

Headline: AFL announces sweeping law changes ahead of 2026 season

 

The AFL has confirmed seven major changes to its Laws of Australian Football and umpiring interpretations for the 2026 season, after extensive consultation with clubs, players, umpires and other stakeholders.

The changes are driven by a desire to speed up the game, improve flow, reduce stoppages and make umpiring simpler and more consistent.

Below is a breakdown of the key changes, followed by commentary on how they might impact the game.

 

 

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Key Changes

 

Here are the major law changes to note:

 

1. Last-disposal out-of-bounds rule (between the 50m arcs)

 

A free kick will now be awarded when the ball crosses the boundary line from a disposal (kick or handball) between the 50-metre arcs (i.e., in the central corridor) without other intervention.

 

The previous “insufficient intent” rule will remain inside the arcs, but this change is intended to reduce ambiguity and the number of throw-ins in that zone.

 

Importantly: if the ball is shepherded or blocked from play to the boundary, then the standard boundary throw-in will still apply (i.e., the free kick is only when it’s a clean disposal out).

 

 

2. Centre ball-up / ruck contest changes

 

The requirement for the “centre bounce” is removed — instead the game will restart with a ball-up (throw-up) at the centre after goals or quarter starts.

 

At all centre ball-ups: the competing ruckman cannot cross the centre circle line and engage their opponent before contesting the football.

 

Around the ground (i.e., other stoppages), the umpire may restart play without a nominated ruckman being present.

 

 

3. Time limit for kick-in from a behind aligned with general set-kick time

 

The time allowed for a player to bring the ball back into play after a behind has been scored will be reduced from 12 seconds to 8 seconds, aligning it with the time for a set kick around the ground.

 

 

4. Holding the ball / “shrug in a tackle” interpretation

 

If a player “shrugs” when tackled (i.e., makes an evading motion similar to a fend or attempt to break a tackle), this will now be deemed prior opportunity, meaning the tackler no longer has to “make” the tackle first for the holding the ball rule to apply.

 

 

5. Protected area / player standing

 

A player within the “protected area” (within 5 metres) when a mark or free kick is paid must now stand and not encroach.

 

 

6. Goalsquare starting position removed

 

The requirement for a player to start in the goalsquare at each centre ball-up is removed, meaning teams don’t have to deploy a player there for the restart.

 

 

7. Game‐flow focus and umpiring simplification

 

Overall, these changes are part of a package aimed at reducing “dead time”, reducing stoppage length, and simplifying umpire decision-making.

 

 

 

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Why these changes?

 

The AFL’s football performance boss, Greg Swann, emphasised the focus on making the game easier for umpires to adjudicate, improving flow, and reducing match length.

 

Data showed that in the zone between the arcs there were many boundary throw-ins and “insufficient intent” decisions which slowed the game; moving to a last-disposal free kick is expected to reduce throw-ins by about 3 per game in that zone.

 

The centre bounce was removed because of safety/skill concerns with umpiring, and due to its impact on ruck contests and consistency across competitions.

 

 

 

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Implications & what to watch

 

For teams/players:

 

Teams will need to adapt their boundary strategies: disposal near the boundary inside the arcs will carry higher risk of concession via a free kick rather than a throw-in.

 

Rucks will face a stricter physical contest at centre stoppages: the restriction on crossing the centre line means positioning and timing are more critical.

 

Kick-in speed from behinds must increase — defenders and kickers will have less time (8 seconds) to reset, so efficient transition becomes more important.

 

Tackling and “holding the ball” interpretations shift: defenders may be rewarded for timely execution rather than relying solely on “making” the tackle; attackers will need to avoid shrug motions when tackled.

 

Coaches may adjust training to emphasise transitional play (faster kick-ins), boundary awareness (especially inside arcs), and ruck contest discipline.

 

 

For fans/umpiring/game flow:

 

The aim is for fewer stoppages, less “treading water”, and a quicker overall game pace.

 

Umpires should have clearer directives in various scenarios (e.g., last-disposal rule reduces grey areas in out-of-bounds decisions).

 

Some traditional elements (centre bounce) are being removed, which may affect the feel or heritage of the game — expect some debate among purists.

 

Some risk of new issues: for example, if ball is knocked out of bounds from a pack and it’s unclear who “last disposed”, will that create controversy? The AFL will need to monitor.

 

 

 

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Focus areas: Out of bounds, Ruck contests, Holding the ball

 

Out of bounds:

 

The key change is the last-disposal free kick between the 50m arcs. This will encourage more deliberate disposal choices in that corridor and penalise players who kick or handball the ball over the line without interruption. It may change how defensive teams play with the boundary, possibly encouraging more “safe” play or more targeted long kicks out of the corridor rather than sideways near the boundary.

 

Ruck contests:

 

With the centre bounce gone, and the new rule that the ruck cannot cross the centre circle before engaging their opponent at a centre ball-up, the ruck contest becomes more structured and less about who jumps first from momentum. The removal of the requirement for a nominated ruck around the ground also allows more flexibility in stoppages. Overall, it prioritises clarity and fairness.

 

Holding the ball:

 

The “shrug” clause update is subtle but significant: it means a player who shrugs when tackled is treated as having had prior opportunity (so if they are tackled immediately afterwards, the holding-the-ball rule may apply). That changes how players evading tackles may behave, and defenders may gain more confidence in tackling earlier.

 

 

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Final thoughts

 

The 2026 law-change package signals the AFL’s intent to evolve the game — not just in playing style but in structural mechanics. By targeting key areas (boundary disposals, ruck contests, set-play time, and tackle/holding interpretations), the league is trying to make the game faster, more consistent, and less burdened by stoppages and ambiguous adjudications.

 

There may well be teething issues, especially as players and coaches adjust to the new norms. Traditionalists may lament the removal of the “centre bounce” and the familiar rhythm of centre restarts. But from a fan experience and broadcast-flow perspective, these changes could make matches more dynamic.

 

For you, as a viewer, keep an eye on:

 

How many boundary throw-ins still occur between the arcs in 2026 compared to previous years.

 

How ruck positioning and centre stoppages change in character.

 

How quickly teams can reposition after a behind (the 8-second kick-in).

 

Tackle/evade situations where the “shrug” interpretation triggers.