Could we see the last touch rule introduced in the AFL?
AFL GM of Football Brad Scott has revealed the league is “looking very closely” at what the SANFL is doing regarding the last touch out of bounds rule.
The SANFL introduced the last possession out of bounds rule in 2016.
The rule allows umpires to award a free kick against the last player to touch the ball before it crosses the boundary line.
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“It seems fairly universal that it’s been a positive change,” Scott told 7 News.
“It’s fair to say the AFL are looking very closely at what the SANFL are doing with last disposal.”
Port Adelaide champion Kane Cornes believes bringing in the rule would clear up confusion around the insufficient intent interpretation.
“I was really against it when it first came into the SANFL, I thought it was a bit Mickey Mouse,” Cornes told SEN SA Breakfast in May last year.
“But the more I’ve seen it and the more ridiculous the interpretation at AFL level has become, the more I think it has to come in.
“The AFL has been watching it for a while, they’re clearly cracking down on deliberate. Just clear all confusion.
“I’m about making it easier for the umpires and we’ve made it more difficult. This just cuts out all of the confusion, last possession out of bounds.
“I think we’re heading that way.”
The last touch rule was also introduced for the 2018 AFLW season, but only between the 50 metre arcs.