Well, the AFL have wasted no time in preparing clubs for what promises to be a major upheaval in the way the game is assessed as we head into 2026.
With rule changes and tweaks to interpretations, the game will look different as we embark on a new season. And with the differences will inevitably come confusion.
Are you across all the changes?
Here’s a list for you (Thanks to HawkTalk on X for saving me the time of compiling them).
- Opening Round expanded by one game
- Wildcard Round introduced
- Last disposal rule, i.e. lasso free kick
- Goal square starting position scrapped (re: 6-6-6)
- Centre bounce removed; ball-up only
- Competing rucks now unable to cross the centre line
- No more subs
- Aligned kick-in times
- Ruck nomination rule changed
- Shrug in a tackle now seen as prior opportunity
- Stand rule amended (stricter)
- Teams can play up to four other teams in their ladder range, previously three, from next season
And if that wasn’t enough, there are more mooted changes for the 2027 season, as well. Ready for them?
- Twilight or Night Grand Final
- No shot clock outside the 50-metre arc
- No warning for 6-6-6 breaches
- Dropping to knees = prior opportunity
- Taking the ball out of the ruck = prior opportunity
- Mid-season trade period
Holy shit… you got all that?
You do?
Then, why stop there, right?
Here at The Mongrel Punt, we’re progressive fellas. We like to think we see the big picture, and just like the AFL, we don’t give a flying shit whether the introduction of a raft of new rules does a bit of harm. Like a local council worker, the AFL has to be seen to be doing something… and so do we!
With that in mind, we have our own list of proposed new rules that will make the game even more difficult.
AN EVEN TIGHTER STAND RULE
I think you’ll like this one. Whenever a mark or a free kick is paid, all players have to stand completely still. No one is allowed to move at all, and if you do, an automatic fifty-metre penalty is awarded to the team who didn’t move.
Yay for higher scoring!
A four-year-old will be employed to pick out the players moving after every mark or free kick.
“You breathed… you blinked…” This kid is merciless.
AN EVEN MORE EXPANDED FINALS SERIES
As of 2026, 17 teams will play in the AFL Finals, providing almost everyone a chance at winning the flag, irrespective of where they finish.
All teams, except West Coast, obviously, will qualify to play finals. And as per our new interpretation of winners and losers, teams that are eliminated will not have lost a final, but will be referred to as “the teams that didn’t win.”
NO MORE GRAND FINALS
The AFL have been very big on wanting to reward the team that finishes second. So much so, that now, both teams that make the Grand Final will share the premiership cup.
This is to be made retrospective, which means the current holders of the premiership cups will keep possession on weekdays and every second weekend, and those who were runners-up will have access on off-weekends. During these weekends, the former runners-up will be required to take the premiership cup on outings and spend a lot of money on activities in the hope the cup will love them.
NEW POSITIONS INTRODUCED
In order to ensure less congestion, players will now no longer be permitted to run around freely on the football field.
Half-forwards will now be known as goal-attacks and cannot go past half-back.
Half-backs will be known as goal defence and cannot go past half-forward.
Wings will have to decide whether they’re wing attacks, or wing defences, and are only allowed in two thirds of the ground. Ankle bracelets will deliver an electric shock should they transgress.
And as has been the case, any type of physical contact will result in a whistle, and an obstruction being called. Crowds will cheer because we tell them it’s great.
EVERY AFL-RELATED ARTICLE MUST REFERENCE BAILEY SMITH’S INSTAGRAM
The Fremantle Dockers defeated Geelong at Optus Stadium on Friday night, despite Bailey Smith posting a picture of his rippling abs earlier in the afternoon.
See, much more interesting. We will lead the way in this regard – you watch.
CAROLINE WILSON MUST HAVE SOMETHING POSITIVE TO SAY ABOUT A GAME OF FOOTBALL AT LEAST ONCE PER MONTH
I know… it’s a stretch.
EVERY GAME WILL FEATURE COMMENTARY ABOUT NICK DAICOS.
Whenever Daicos is not playing, all the commentators should be asking “Where’s Daicos?”
And that’ll do me – I should be doing work. Feel free to add your own.
As always, massive thanks to those who support this work. You can see the amount of care that goes into it. I love footy, I love writing about it, and I hope you enjoy reading it. Without you, this whole thing falls over. Sincerely… thank you – HB
Like this content? You could buy me a coffee – I do like coffee, but there is no guarantee I won’t use it to buy a doughnut… I like them more. And I am not brought to you by Sportsbet or Ladbrokes… or Bet365, or any of them.
