Last-touch rule atop Swann's agenda ahead of 2026

Club football bosses have been told to prepare for a range of changes to the game from next year.

In a meeting this afternoon between the AFL and club football managers, executive general manager of football Greg Swann laid out the to-do list in a wide-ranging conference call.

Tellingly, Swann told club chiefs that while the father-son and academy rules would remain the same in this year’s draft, there would be changes in 2026 in pursuit of a more “pure draft”.

The first round of this year's national draft will be heavily compromised by father-son and academy selections.

Among the potential changes discussed were:

• The adoption of the last-disposal rule next season, with the AFL claiming the introduction of the rule would only result in two more free kicks per game.

• Amendments to the ruck rules in an attempt to get the big men jumping at the ball again.

• Reduce the length of games by removing dead time in matches.

• The abolishing of the sub rule, while stating rotations would still stay capped at 75 if the sub was removed.

It's understood the future of the centre bounce was not discussed.