Lyon: The rule that can be exploited this season

The AFL has doubled down on one of the game’s newest laws, and according to Garry Lyon, the ruling has the potential to be exploited en masse.

With Greg Swann upping the ante on the guidelines of the game entering 2026, the stand rule has received a clean-up, tightening the ruling to allow umpires more control.

The rule suggests that opposition players must stop and stand on the mark with both feet planted at the umpire’s call, with any step or shuffle off the mark resulting in a 50-metre penalty.

Approaching the new season, Swann has called for a tighten-up, cutting leniency to ensure players freeze on the spot and remain on the mark until play-on is called.

After a round of unofficial practice matches and Wednesday night’s Community Series opener between Carlton and Collingwood, Garry Lyon has suggested that the rule should be exploited by the attacking side at a rate yet to be seen.

“This stand rule gives you the opportunity – more than ever before – to run straight past the man on the mark. Run straight past him and open the whole ground up,” Lyon said on SEN Breakfast.

“Max Holmes took a mark on the outer wing in the second quarter, and having watched Max at close quarters, he is the quickest player in the competition bar none. There isn’t a player in the game who can stand (and catch him).

“Max Holmes looked at Elijah Hollands and just went bang. He put 15 metres on him in a blink of an eye.

“The opportunity to run past the mark has never been greater, and smart clubs and smart players will take advantage of this.

“You can take 20 metres in a heartbeat by the guy who is rooted to the spot – he can’t move, because you know the umpires are going to be on these blokes like never before.

“Early in this season, to open these games up – not only the kicking, the 45s opening up – the ability to run past has never been greater.

“You watch the Holmes’ of the world take ground when they get into that situation.

“I'm calling it 'Stand and Deliver'.”

The Community Series continues this afternoon, with Sydney taking on GWS at 4:10pm, followed by the Queensland derby at 6:10pm (AEST).