The Australian Football League is poised for a significant shift in how the game is played, with a suite of new rules set to take effect in the 2026 season. Former West Coast Eagles ruck coach and 1994 premiership player Ryan Turnbull believes these changes, particularly those affecting ruckmen, will usher in an exciting new era for the game's big men.
Seven Key Changes for a Faster Game
The AFL confirmed seven major adjustments on Wednesday, spearheaded by new football boss Greg Swann. The primary goal is to remove wasted time and enhance the natural flow of the match. The league anticipates these changes will trim approximately three minutes from the total game length.
Among the most significant revisions is the new ruck rule, which prohibits ruckmen from crossing the centre circle line before engaging with their opponent at ball-ups. This comes shortly after the league banned the bounce. Additionally, umpires will now have the discretion to ball up without a nominated ruck at stoppages around the ground.
Other key changes include the introduction of a last-touch out-of-bounds rule between the 50-metre arcs. The definition of prior opportunity has also been tightened; a shrug in a tackle will now be considered prior opportunity, penalising players who attempt to draw a high free kick.
Further adjustments see the removal of the requirement for a player to start in the goal square at each centre bounce, a tightening of the stand rule, and a reduction in the time allowed for a kick-in from 12 seconds to eight, bringing it in line with set kicks around the ground.
A Return to the Art of the Ruck Duel
Ryan Turnbull, who stepped away from his eight-year role with the Eagles due to work commitments, welcomes the ruck-specific changes. He recalls the game devolving into a 'full on wrestle' at centre bounces, a tactic he says lacked aesthetic appeal.
'Everyone loves the two rucks jumping and the tactics involved in that,' Turnbull stated. 'I think it's a really good thing.'
He predicts the new dynamic will favour players with exceptional vertical leap, like West Coast's Bailey Williams, or those who combine decent spring with great height, such as Melbourne's Max Gawn or Gold Coast's Jarrod Witts. This shift could force clubs to reconsider their ruck strategy, choosing between a smaller, more athletic jumper or the traditional taller ruckman.
Turnbull pointed to Max Gawn's battle with Bailey Williams in round 21 of the recent season as a preview of the classic duels fans can expect, harkening back to enthralling contests between greats like Dean Cox and Aaron Sandilands.
Western Australian Clubs Perfectly Positioned
Turnbull believes both West Coast and Fremantle possess the personnel to thrive under the new regulations. He highlighted the Matt Flynn and Bailey Williams combination at West Coast and the Sean Darcy and Luke Jackson duo at Fremantle as ideal setups.
The removal of the medical substitute, replaced by a full five-player interchange bench, is expected to encourage teams to run with two rucks. However, Turnbull emphasises that one must be capable of playing a dual role.
'The Freo example is a classic one,' he said. 'Those two players I think is a perfect foil because you've got big Darcy and then in comes Jackson who is really crafty in what he does but can offer a really good option up forward for them.'
While the centre bounce will see a fundamental change, Turnbull noted that ruckmen will still need to wrestle around the ground, ensuring they must maintain a versatile skillset. This evolution promises to make the role of the AFL big man more dynamic and impactful than ever before.
