The AFL has moved to close a loophole in its contentious protected space rule, saying there had been “unexpected exploitation” by gamers.
Umpires have been instructed to not pay 50m penalties when gamers intentionally run their opponents into the protected space with the intention of making a cut up between them.
The rule permits a defending participant to observe their opponent into the protected space round a participant taking a set kick, offered they’re inside two metres of one another.
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The place a cut up occurs, and the defender continues to run via and clears the world, the umpires will not pay a 50m penalty.
Some gamers have run across the man on the mark to create the cut up and expose their opponent to a possible 50m penalty.
The AFL referred to as the tactic an unintended exploitation of the rule in an announcement launched on Tuesday.
“The protected area rule is designed for the kicker to have options to move the ball,” stated umpires boss Dan Richardson.
“It is having the desired effect, however there have been more and more instances of players deliberately running their opponent into the zone with the intention of getting split and/or drawing a 50m penalty.
“If this ‘cut up’ of gamers occurs, offering the defender strikes to vacate the world, the umpires have been instructed to not apply a 50m penalty.
