The AFL Commission has approved 9 Rule changes for the 2019 season, some of the changes are set to impact fantasy scores immediately while others are likely to have no impact.
Below are the listed Rule changes and the likely impact from a fantasy perspective:
Traditional playing positions at centre bounces
- Clubs must have six players inside both 50m arcs, with one player inside the goalsquare.
- Four midfield players must start inside the centre square with the two wingmen stationed along the wing.
Fantasy Impact: Key Forwards will have a small 1-on-1 window of opportunity to take advantage of this rule, floating spare defenders in the same time frame will be negatively impacted unable to get in position.
Kick-ins
- At kick-ins, a player will no longer need to kick to himself to play on from the goalsquare.
- Following a behind, the man on the mark will be brought out to 10m from the top of the goalsquare, rather than the existing five metres.
Fantasy Impact:Â One of the bigger rules changes to impact fantasy in 2019, it is likely that Defenders will now be rewarded with a kick or handball where previously the kick to self was a requirement prior earning points for a Disposal.
Players that should be advantaged by this rule would likely be speedy elite kicking types, previous statistical analysis in this area of which player ranks highly for team kick-ins will be a useful start to the 2019 season but it will evolve very quickly based on team strategy.
Defenders that take a large percentage of kick-ins on teams that concede high scores are set to become more valuable, below is a list of 2018 Team Points AGA.
The difference between a poor defending team (Gold Coast) & a good defending team (Richmond) was an additional 6.1 opportunities per game last season ie. up to an extra 18.3pts per game is available for poor defending teams.
Prices are already set for the 2019 season, Defenders that will be frequently used for kick-ins are extremely valuable now & are likely to become even more valuable during the season.
The pre-season is a must watch for fantasy coaches to monitor the impact of this new rule, Defender averages are set to increase in 2019 if all Disposals are recorded.
Marks and free kicks in defence Â
- When defenders mark or receive a free kick within nine metres of their own goal, the man on the mark will be brought in line with the top of the goalsquare.
Fantasy Impact: No real impact for fantasy except outlet players will see more opportunities.
Runners and water carriers
- Team runners may only enter the playing surface after a goal has been kicked and must exit before play restarts.
- Water carriers are not permitted to enter the playing surface during live play.
Fantasy Impact:Â No real fantasy impact except match-up issues will take longer to solve for coaches therefore allowing dominant players to excel a little longer.
Umpire contact
- Players will be prohibited from setting up behind the umpire at centre bounces.
Fantasy Impact: No fantasy impact.
50m penalties
- The player with the ball:
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- Must be allowed to advance the mark by 50m without the infringing player delaying the game.
- Will be able to play on while the 50m penalty is being measured out.
Fantasy Impact: Key Forwards that have 1-on-1 match-ups should benefit with a faster moving ball into the forward 50.
Kicking for goal after the sirenÂ
- A player who has been awarded a mark or free kick once play has ended:
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- Will now be able to kick across their body using a snap or check-side kick
- BUT must kick the ball directly in line with the man on the mark and the goal.
Fantasy Impact:Â No fantasy impact.
Marking contests
- The ‘hands in the back’ rule interpretation has been repealed so a player can now:
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- Place his hands on the back of his opponent to protect his position in a marking contest
- PROVIDED he does not push his opponent in the back.
Fantasy Impact: Key Forwards should be positively impacted by the rule change, the AFL is keen to bring them back into the game and a roll back of the rule prior to 2008 should not be ignored by fantasy coaches.
Power forwards are back and there is no price adjustment before the 2019 season begins, many key forwards have value right now.
Ruck contests: prior opportunity
- A ruckman who takes direct possession of the ball from a bounce, throw-up or boundary throw-in will no longer be regarded as having had prior opportunity.
- Where there is uncertainty over who is the designated ruckman, the ruckman for each team will still be required to nominate to the field umpire.
Fantasy Impact:Â Power Ruckmen should be positively impacted by this rule change, the playing of 2 Rucks could also become common place making the Ruck landscape a little more vague.
Current dominant Rucks could see an increase in average points with a few more opportunities per game to Dispose of the ball via a kick or Handball.
