The AFL has confirmed that the AFL Commission has approved several changes to the Laws of the Game for the 2013 season.
 
Focused on the key issue of player safety as well as the look of the game and how it is played at elite level, the Commission has approved the following three recommendations.
 
·       Forceful Contact Below the Knees - A free kick will now be awarded against any player under existing Law 15.4.5 a (ii) Prohibited Contact, who makes forceful contact below the knees of an opponent (this does not apply to smothers with the hands or arms).
·       Throw Ball Up Around the Ground - The bounce will continue to be used at the start of each quarter, and after goals, but umpires will now throw the ball up for all field stoppages during the game.
·       Ruckmen At Stoppages - Separation of ruckmen at stoppages, with no contact permitted until the ball has left the umpire's hand, to allow for a greater likelihood of the ball being cleared.
 
Carlton’s General Manager of Football, Andrew McKay, welcomed the AFL’s rule change on forceful contact below the knees.
 
“Player safety is an important issue for the game and the introduction of the rule on forceful contact below the knees will assist player welfare and help prevent injury,” he said.
 
“The introduction of the other two rules are designed to make the game more attractive and this is part of the AFL’s role to ensure the game is presentable.”
 
The AFL Commission has also approved, in principle, a recommendation to impose a cap on interchange rotations but determined that a review of further data and analysis was required, including a trial in the 2013 NAB Cup.
 
The proposal will be revisited by the Commission at the end of next season, meaning interchange arrangements will remain unchanged for the 2013 season.
 
Andrew said Carlton was pleased the AFL has decided not to make any alterations to the interchange for 2013.
 
The AFL said the Commission was the ultimate decision-maker on the Laws, as the independent body overseeing the game, and had determined that these changes, along with a number of revised interpretations, would apply from the start of the 2013 Toyota AFL premiership season.