Shot clock loophole, tackle act on watch as AFL on watch for MORE potential rule changes

The AFL has already floated more potential rule changes to clubs, just days after confirming seven tweaks for the 2026 season.

In an attempt to shorten games several rules have been smoothed out while centre bounce ruck rules now mean players must stay on their side before jumping.

Meanwhile the standing on the mark rule is being tightened so players can no longer drift back outside five metres – though contrary to one report, this does not mean ALL players within five metres must man the mark.

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Now The Age reports the league has put changes on the agenda which could come into effect for 2027.

This includes a further crackdown on players trying to milk a free kick by dropping at the knees when tackled.

Already for 2026, the AFL has changed the rules so a shrug in a tackle will be considered prior opportunity, but this potential tweak would see players who drop to their knees also deemed having had their prior opportunity.

This would negate tactics used by many top small forwards but the AFL is mindful it must draft the laws of the game precisely so the rule is applied as intended.

More change in this area could see rucks who take the ball out of a ruck context considered having had prior opportunity, as was the case before 2019.

This would mean ruckmen have to immediately dispose of the ball if tackled rather than being able to hold onto it and creating a secondary stoppage.

Rucks could also no longer need to remain separated at ball-ups and throw-ins around the ground, while rucks tapping the ball out from a contest towards the boundary will be closely monitored for insufficient intent.

Another potential change would see players not given a shot clock for shots on goal from outside 50.

Instead of being able to take 30 seconds, often milking the clock before finding a teammate closer to goal, these players would now have eight seconds as seen around the ground.

The AFL will also consider scrapping the warnings for 6-6-6 rule breaches, but this has not been changed for 2026 due to the expansion of the bench to five players, and the potential for confusion with rotations.