AFL fans can expect to see the introduction of some new trial rules throughout the 2012 NAB Cup competition.

The AFL has advised all clubs that FIVE rules will be introduced in the pre-season competition, including the following:

1. The four-person interchange system will now comprise of two interchange and two substitute players on the bench (except for the final week of the pre-season competition)

The AFL will trial the use of two substitute players on the interchange. It has already been determined that the three interchange and one substitute player will remain in place for 2012 Premiership Season. In rounds two and three, when teams are playing four quarter matches, four new players may be introduced for the second half of each game.

2. A free kick will be paid against a player who drags or holds the ball under his opponent

As an extension of the rule trialled in both the 2010 and 2011 NAB Cup competitions, the umpire may pay a free kick against a player who drags the ball under his opponent, and may also pay a free kick against a player who holds a ball under his opponent, when he is trying to knock it out.

3. Deliberate out of bounds

A free kick will be paid against the last team to dispose of the ball with a kick or a handball before it goes out of bounds, provided no-one else touches the ball before it goes out. A stricter version of the rule was trialled last year, but it was felt the ‘last touch’ element was too harsh in certain situations, and this has been altered in 2012 to a last kick, last handball or a player walking the ball over the line.

4. Ruck contests at field bounces and throw-ins

Ruckmen will not be permitted to make contact with their opponent prior to bounces and throw-ins, with umpires ensuring the players do not make contact with each other until the ball leaves the umpire’s hand. The trial is designed to encourage ruckmen to contest the ball, rather than focus on nullifying their opponent, as well as making ruck contests easier to adjudicate.

5. Nine points for goals kicked outside 50m

As per the rule trialled in previous NAB Cup competitions, any player who kicks a goal from outside 50m will be awarded a nine-point ‘Super Goal’. In the event of a 50m penalty, players will be able to choose whether they want to take the full 50m, or opt for a chance at a ‘Super Goal’.

While fans can expect some changes throughout the 2012 NAB Cup competition, the AFL have advised that there will be no rule changes for the 2012 AFL Premiership Season.

The AFL Commission accepted a recommendation from the Laws of the Game Committee - which comprises of Adrian Anderson (chairman), Kevin Bartlett, Leigh Matthews, Matthew Pavlich, Luke Power, Rowan Sawers and Michael Sexton - that the existing interchange rule and advantage rule should remain unchanged from the 2011 season.

However, the Commission approved a further set of interpretation changes, including minor adjustments to reduce the length of the game by instructing umpires to reduce the time taken to re-start play after throw-ins and goals, along with a continued strict interpretation of deliberate out of bounds, including penalising ruckmen who deliberately knock the ball out of bounds from a ruck contest even when it is not on the full.

AFL General Manager of Football Operations Adrian Anderson said the growing length of games, which had increased by more than three minutes since the 2008 season, had prompted the amendments to current process.

“Boundary umpires will be asked to reduce throw in time by 1-2 seconds, and the gap between a goal being kicked and the re-start of play will also be reduced by up to five seconds, to stop delays in the game,” Mr Anderson said.

“The number of throw-ins has been rising steadily for several seasons and the current Law for deliberate-out-of-bounds will continue to be strictly applied so that the rucks will be penalised if they hit the ball deliberately out of bounds from a ruck contest, even if it is does not go over the line on the full,” he said.

Last month, the AFL notified the 18 clubs that the interchange would remain as three interchange players with one substitute while the advantage rule would remain in the hands of players, and not the umpires, to decide if advantage should be taken after receiving a free kick.

“The Commission’s decisions have been that it was time for a year of consolidation in the rules,” Mr Anderson said.

"The key statistics in the game from the 2011 season tell us there has been an increase in long kicking, contested marks, scoring and clearance rates, especially late in games and in last quarters as the game opens up. In addition, there has been a decrease in the numbers of disposals, handballs, short kicks and backwards kicks.

As part of the Laws process, the AFL will continue to monitor a number of topics, including the interchange and interchange infringements, the advantage rule, ruck contests, illegal contact in marking contests, umpire contact, boundary line play and player safety.