Bluebaggers, Carlton is preparing to return to the field as part of the JLT Community Series so here’s everything you need to know to make sure you’re along for the ride – every kick of the way!
JLT COMMUNITY SERIES
The JLT Community Series will see all 18 teams face three opposing clubs across a four-week stretch from Thursday 16 February to Sunday 12 March.
During the 2017 JLT Community Series, the Blues will lace up their boots to face Melbourne, St Kilda and Fremantle across weeks two to four of the competition.
WHAT IS JLT?
JLT (Jardine Lloyd Thompson) is one of Australia’s leading specialty-focused providers of insurance related advice, brokerage and associated services and is the official insurance broker to the AFL, all 18 AFL clubs and the state governing bodies.
In December 2016 it was announced that the AFL would partner with JLT for the pre-season competition over the next three years, replacing NAB as its naming rights partner.
CARLTON'S CLASHES
For the first of Carlton’s three JLT Series hit-outs, the Blues will line-up against Melbourne at Casey Fields on Saturday 25 February, from 2:05pm EDT.
The third week of the Series will see the Blues return to their home - Ikon Park - to face St Kilda on Saturday 4 March, from 2:05 EDT.
Carlton will then travel west to Domain Stadium in the final week of the competition to test their wares against Fremantle on Friday 10 March, from 5:40pm WST.
The pre-season competition is the first opportunity for Bluebaggers to witness the Blues in full force ahead of the 2017 AFL season - make sure you’re in the crowd to support the boys!
CARLTON'S 2017 JLT COMMUNITY SERIES FIXTURE
Week 2
Saturday 25 February
Melbourne v Carlton
Casey Fields, 2:05pm EDT
Week 3
Saturday 4 March
Carlton v St Kilda
Ikon Park, 2:05pm EDT
Week 4
Friday 10 March
Fremantle v Carlton
Domain Stadium, 5:40pm WDT
DOUBLE-HEADERS
Rounds 4, 5 and 6 of AFL Womens will precede Carlton’s JLT Community Series matches with Carlton’s AFLW team playing against Melbourne, Western Bulldogs and Fremantle.
AFLW Round 4
Saturday 25 February
Melbourne v Carlton
Casey Fields, 11:35am EDT
AFLW Round 5
Saturday 4 March
Carlton v Western Bulldogs
Ikon Park, 11:35am EDT
AFLW Round 6
Friday 10 March
Fremantle v Carlton
Domain Stadium, 3:05pm WST
JLT SERIES - NEW RULES
Here are a few new rules to familiarise yourself with before the Blues take the field – they’ll also carry through to the 2017 AFL season:
High tackles
Where a player is tackled reasonably but is subjected to high contact via their own act such as a shrug, duck, arm lift or similar action, play-on will be called.
Umpires will consider the starting point of the tackle, the degree of force and the nature of the tackle when making a decision.
Protected area
Players who find themselves caught in the protected area will escape a 50m penalty if they demonstrate an intention to immediately leave.
However, a player will be penalised if their entry into the protected area impacts or could have an impact on the kicker.
Third-man-up ban
As the name suggests, a player who contests a ruck contest as a ‘third-man’ will be penalised.
The rule was introduced to ensure only designated ruckmen contest the ball within the ruck or boundary throw-in, and requires other players to wait until the ball hits the ground and play-on is called before vying for the Sherrin.
Deliberate rushed behinds
Umpires will consider prior opportunity when penalising a player for a deliberately rushed behind.
The opening two rounds of the JLT Series will see a point awarded and the ball thrown up five metres from the top of the goalsquare if a rushed behind is deemed deliberate.
For the final round of the pre-season competition and for the 2017 AFL season, a free kick for goal will be awarded.
JLT SERIES - RULE MODIFICATIONS
The following rules are in place specifically for the pre-season competition:
Time-on and Time-off
During the first two rounds of the competition there will be no time-on/off in the first 15 minutes of each quarter unless a goal is scored or there is a major delay.
For Round 3 in the fourth week of the competition, usual time on/off scenarios apply.
Interchange
Up to eight players will be allowed on the interchange bench during the first two rounds of the competition, while the third round will see the number reduced to six.
Teams will also be allowed unlimited rotations during the pre-season games.
Scores
The supergoal will feature as per usual, awarding nine points for a goal kicked from outside the 50m arc.
A player who is awarded a 50m penalty which takes them inside the arc can choose to kick from outside 50 for nine points.
There will be no score reviews throughout the Series.
TICKETING INFO
We encourage tickets to each of Carlton’s JLT Community Series hit-outs to be purchased in advance via Ticketmaster to avoid disappointment.
Tickets are also available at the gate, unless sold out prior.
General admission and reserved seating tickets entitle fans to watch Carlton’s women's and men’s teams.
Tickets are subject to availability on a first-come, first-served basis and may be subject to an additional ticket agent fee.
Carlton members with game access are entitled to attend the Blues’ matches free of charge, however with entry subject to capacity, members are encouraged to upgrade to a reserved seat or register for a general admission ticket.
Please note that particularly large crowds are expected at Casey Fields and Ikon Park where capacity is limited to 10,000 and 22,000 patrons respectively. Fans with general admission tickets are advised to arrive early to secure a spot in the heart of action.
CAN'T MAKE IT TO THE GAME?
All of Carlton's JLT Community Series will be broadcast live exclusively on FOX Footy. You can also stream the games live on the AFL Live Official App.
As the Blues embark on the final stages of pre-season, Carlton’s AFLW team enters the business end of the inaugural AFLW competition.
Make sure you’re across all the action regarding the Game Changers by visiting the Carlton AFLW hub.
