THE Northern Blues have today been informed by the AFL that its Round 19 game against Coburg will be used as a trial as part of its research work for the game’s Competition Committee.

This follows the VFL Round 18 trial in the match between Coburg and Werribee on Saturday at Piranha Park. 

AFL General Manager Football Operations Steve Hocking, wrote to the clubs to advise that the upcoming match would see the use of a larger goal-square for kick-outs for the entire game, along with set-ups of six midfielders, six forwards and six defenders for each centre-square bounce through the entire match.

General Manager Len Villani said the Northern Blues were supportive of the proposed trials as the AFL and AFL Victoria aim to continue to grow the game more broadly. 

“We are open-minded to the new adjustments and we will provide the appropriate feedback to the AFL and AFL Victoria following Saturday’s game,” Villani said. 

“We are one of the first clubs to take part in the trial of the new rule changes and we encourage as many of our supporters to get to Preston City Oval on Saturday to witness these adjustments during the game.” 

The first bounce for Saturday’s match against Coburg will be at 2:00pm at Preston City Oval.