Geelong star Tom Stewart believes new umpire interpretations for numerous rules will not change how clubs play the game.
At the very least, it won’t influence Geelong’s style.
The AFL confirmed earlier this week that the interpretation of the holding the ball rule had been tweaked, reducing the time a player has to dispose of the football.
For the 2022 season onwards, players that duck or are “balanced and steady” when tackled are set to have a holding the ball free kick paid against them, and umpires are likely to have to blow the whistle more while players adapt to the new interpretations.
Players who delay the game by failing to give the ball back after a free kick are also set to be penalised heavier, umpires no longer obligated to give warnings and now have greater flexibility to pay more 50-metre penalties.
The rules have been well supported so far – albeit with no footy to showcase them – after fans lamented the ever-growing ‘grey area’ in the rules in seasons gone.
Stewart believes the Cats may be better prepared compared to their opponents due to a distinct advantage.
“We’re lucky, we have a couple of umpires that live down this way, so they come down and help us out with training once or twice a week, which is really informative for us to understand what they’ve been instructed to do and the likes,” he told SEN’s The Captain’s Run.
However, the three-time All-Australian doesn’t envision much of an advantage, suggesting the new adaptations will not have a large impact on the game.
“In terms of the rule, I don’t know if it’s going to change the way we play too much,” Stewart continued.
“Obviously with the prior opportunity and the fending and ducking and the like, it’s probably always been that way.
“Then the way the game’s played … as long as I’ve been in the game, the umpires always go over the top in the beginning and then sort of start to figure out where the happy middle is.
“So I’m sure the first six rounds the holding the ball (decisions) are going to be hot, then from there it will figure itself out and by the end of the year it won’t even be a talking point.”
Stewart suffered a syndesmosis injury that cruelled not only the last few games of his season, but also the Cats’ premiership hopes.
The club looked broken without Stewart down back in the finals series, however the 28-year-old is currently in no doubt for Round 1 when Chris Scott’s side take on Essendon on March 19.