The AFL today wrote to all clubs to advise the AFL Commission has approved rule adjustments ahead of the 2023 NAB AFLW Competition.

The AFL Commission has approved adjustments to the length of AFLW matches, the introduction of an interchange cap, adjustment to boundary throw-ins, a cap on the use of runners, and a change to the sanction structure of low-level reportable offences.

AFL Acting EGM Football Laura Kane said the suite of rule adjustments is designed to improve the quality of the on-field product and the competitive balance of the competition.

“These rule adjustments will give supporters more of what they love – a balance between attack and defence, improved strategic tension, and encourage more instinctive play,” Kane said.

“We have undertaken an extensive consultation process as we worked through these adjustments, including thorough discussions with AFLW Senior Coaches, AFLW Competition Committee, and the AFLPA.

“Restricting runners’ access, extending quarter lengths, and introducing an interchange cap is designed to open up the game, which provides an opportunity for players to compete with more flair and have greater freedom to play on instinct.”

“Adjustments to the location of the boundary throw ins within the 50 metre arcs will create more opportunities for teams to score from stoppages, while changes to our low-level sanctions for reportable offences will further prioritise the health and safety of AFLW players.

“On behalf of the AFL, I would like to thank all 18 clubs, the AFLW Competition Committee, the AFLPA, the AFLCA, and our broadcaster partners for their support.”

The Commission has accepted the following game adjustments ahead of the 2023 NAB AFLW Premiership Season:

1. Duration of match and intervals between quarters

Increased quarter length to 15 minutes plus time on for goals or major injuries only, and the existing additional 2 minutes plus time on for match stoppages, goals or major injuries.

The length of the interval at quarter time and three-quarter time will be reduced from 6 minutes and 30 seconds to 6 minutes, and that the length of interval at half time will be reduced from 16 minutes to 14 minutes.

2. Boundary throw-ins

Boundary umpires will move 10 metres into the playing surface when the ball goes out of bounds between the 50 metre arcs. Boundary throw ins within the fifty metre arcs will be completed from the boundary line.

The existing ‘last touch out of bounds’ rule will still apply between the 50-metre arcs.

3. Interchange cap and interchange boards

An interchange cap of 60 rotations per team per match will be introduced. Clubs will be permitted to use interchange boards to deliver messages relating to rotations and team tactics (as per the AFL competition).

4. Runners

There will be a cap on runners accessing the field of play.

Runners can access the playing surface three times per quarter until the last three minutes of that quarter for a maximum of 90 seconds each time. Runners can access the playing surface for a short period after goals.

5. Financial sanctions for low-level reportable and fixed-financial offences

The fine structure for low-level classifiable offences will be as follows:
 

The fine structure for fixed-financial offences will be as follows:
 

A two-year roll over period for Classifiable Offences will be introduced.

This results in fine amounts increasing where a player has committed the same offence more than once in the past two years, rather than just in the current season.

This is consistent with the treatment of the fines for Fixed Financial Offences.

The AFL Commission has also approved an additional train-on player to club lists where that player meets Next Generation Academy talent concession criteria. 

Clubs must apply for the additional train-on player, and it will be in addition to their listed players and existing 10 train-on players.