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AFL Commission dumps centre bounce and sub rule after years of debate
The AFL will replace the centre bounce with ball throws and remove the substitute rule to improve umpire safety and game consistency, affecting all national competitions.
- The AFL has decided to stop umpires from bouncing the ball at match restarts, opting for a throw-up instead, as noted by AFL Executive General Manager Football Performance Greg Swann.
- The interchange bench will expand to five players instead of four, which Geelong coach Chris Scott disliked.
- The removal of the bounce aims to reduce game length and promote a cleaner and fairer ruck contest in Australian Rules football.
- This rule change is expected to enhance safety for umpires and players and streamline the game by shortening its length and improving the ruck contest.
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54 Articles
AFL is destroying its own ‘rock art’: Former chairman’s pointed warning on bounce
Former AFL chairman and Carlton great Mike Fitzpatrick has expressed disappointment in the league’s decision to remove the centre bounce from 2026 and hopes that this change is temporary.
·Northbridge, Australia
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Australian Rules axes ‘centre bounce’ after 130 years
Australian Rules football has started games with a centre bounce for more than 130 years, but from next season it will be ditched because umpires are finding it too hard to master the skill. The country's most popular spectator sport, similar to Ireland's Gaelic football, traces its roots back to 1858 when spherical or oval
Coverage Details
Total News Sources54
Leaning Left10Leaning Right8Center11Last UpdatedBias Distribution38% Center
Bias Distribution
- 38% of the sources are Center
38% Center
L 34%
C 38%
R 28%
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