In the lead-up to the announcement, many believed that a cap would be introduced on interchanges to help reduce congestion and lower injury rates.
Other radical suggestions had the Commission introducing two substitutes in 2013.
But in the end, the interchange and substitute rule remained unchanged.
However, the proposal of limiting interchanges to 90 per game will be revisited by the Commission at the end of next season.
The Commission did approve three other recommendations from the Laws of the Game committee, which will be introduced next season. They have been outline below:
• 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.
Mr Demetriou 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.
“The approved changes are primarily designed to protect players from injury as well as helping to reduce congestion,” Mr Demetriou said.
"The AFL’s long-term commitment to player welfare is illustrated by other significant changes to protect player safety in recent years such as the Head Over the Ball Rule, The Ruck Rule to Protect Players Against PCL Injuries and the Rules relating to sling tackles, sliding and bumping and head-high contact.”
AFL General Manager Football Operations, Adrian Anderson said the free kick for forceful contact below the knees would protect players from serious lower limb injuries such as broken legs, ankles and knee ACL injuries.
“Clubs and players have adapted well to the free kick for sliding knees or feet first this season and we have extended this to protect players from any forceful contact below the knees,” Mr Anderson said. “In addition to the injury prevention benefit, this change is also designed to encourage players to keep their feet and to assist in reducing congestion.”
The change to throw the ball up around the ground at stoppages has been introduced to help alleviate congestion by enabling play to be re-started more quickly. This proposal was put forward and supported by many players and coaches during consultation.
“Throwing the ball up around the ground will enable the ball to be cleared quicker from congestion and will also make it easier for umpires to detect infringements,” Mr Anderson said.
The following rule interpretations have also been tightened to help alleviate congestion and encourage quick ball movement and genuine marking contests:
• Stricter enforcement of protected area around the player with the ball - a) if in protected area, opposition player must remain passive and b) can only enter protected area if within two metres of opponent (amended from five metres);
• Protect ball player by awarding a free kick for ‘in the back’ or ‘high contact’ against a player who sits or lies on top of a tackled opponent (having an arm across is permitted);
• Stricter interpretation of holding the ball where a player is tackled but doesn’t make a genuine attempt to kick or handball (including throwing/dropping/placing the ball);
• Free kick against a player for dragging or pushing the ball back under their opponent (as per previous NAB Cup trials);
• Paying free kicks for blocking infringements that interfere with marking contests and umpires to review their positioning to achieve a better balance between detecting infringements at stoppages and infringements occurring within the end zones;
• Reduce time allowed for kick ins to 5-6 seconds (from when flags are waved) to be consistent with kicks around the ground.
