The SANFL has confirmed its innovative 2016 rule changes will continue into a second season.
The League’s Laws of the Game Committee introduced several changes last season to combat growing stoppage numbers and encourage free-flowing, attacking play.
A ‘last possession’ out of bounds rule resulted in a 35 per cent reduction in boundary throw ins, while a stricter interpretation of the holding the ball rule helped reduce ball ups by almost 15 per cent.
Scoring also increased by almost 10 per cent on data from Season 2015 – the SANFL’s lowest scoring year in four decades.
“The mandate was clear, to reduce the number of stoppages and spread the game, which in turn we hoped would increase scoring,” SANFL General Manager of Football Adam Kelly said on the League’s official website.
“Scoring increased by over 8 per cent (which) was pleasing, that’s an extra 180 odd goals over the season.”
Teams were also limited to 60 interchanges per match last season, excluding changes made at quarter breaks.
Further changes could yet be made ahead of next year’s SANFL competition.
The Laws of the Game Committee has recommended the SANFL follow the AFL’s lead and increase the protected area around the man on the mark.
“Feedback from the introduction of this rule in the AFL competition suggests the 10m protected area opened up the ground to the player with the ball in hand, allowing for more attacking kicking and the ability to run and carry the ball to the inside of the ground,” Kelly said.
“It also provides an additional area of protection that assists the attacking player when shooting on goal, particularly on an angle, with space to move off the mark and open the goal face.”
The SANFL’s current rule allows for a five-metre protected zone after a mark or free kick. A 25-metre penalty is applied if a player encroaches this space.
The SANFL 2017 premiership fixture is due for release in early-to-mid December.
