The AFL has made up its mind on two rules for next year, removing the contentious sub-rule and stopping umpires from bouncing the ball.
The interchange benches will now have five players on the bench instead of four and a substitute, a rule Geelong coach Chris Scott particularly disliked.
A loved tradition is also ending with umpires no longer bouncing the ball to start a match or after a goal, and will now have to throw the ball up.
AFL Executive General Manager Football Performance Greg Swann said the removal of the bounce will help umpires progress to the AFL as they no longer need to worry about mastering the 'difficult skill'.
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“The centre bounce has long been a part of Australian Football tradition, but as the game has evolved, there are several areas which will benefit from allowing umpires to simply throw the ball up at the restart," Swann said in a statement released by the AFL.
“By removing the skill aspect of bouncing the ball, umpires can focus their energy on adjudicating the game and consistency of decision-making.
“We also anticipate this decision will be safer for umpires and players at the contest and lessen the likelihood of umpire contact at the restart.
“The removal of the bounce we predict will also have a positive impact in the reduction of game length and produce a cleaner and fairer ruck contest, two areas we have been monitoring for the past two seasons.
Swann explained the decision to introduce five players on the interchange was one that the clubs and AFL Players Association supported.
“We have listened to the feedback from players, the Clubs and the AFLPA to remove the substitute in favour of a fifth interchange player with rotations to remain the same.”
It was also stated that any additional changes to the Laws of the Game will happen after the commission meeting in October.