What is the ‘Last Touch’ Rule? AFL Coaches Not Convinced Despite Success in SANFL and AFLW
The Australian Football League (AFL) is considering a major rule tweak known as the “last touch” or “last disposal” out-of-bounds rule, aimed at speeding up play and easing umpire decisions. However, men’s AFL coaches remain skeptical, even as the rule thrives in the women’s AFLW competition and the South Australian National Football League (SANFL).
Defining the ‘Last Touch’ Rule: From Intent to Possession
The “last touch” rule—more precisely called the “last possession” or “last disposal” rule—penalizes players for kicking or handballing the ball directly out of bounds without it being touched by another player. If the last clear disposal sends the ball over the boundary line untouched between the 50-meter arcs, the umpire awards a free kick to the opposing team. Inside the 50-meter arcs, the rule doesn’t apply to avoid disrupting scoring plays.
This change replaces subjective judgments under the current “insufficient intent” or “deliberate out of bounds” rules, where umpires must decide if a player intentionally let the ball go out. If unclear who touched it last, or in cases like shepherding (blocking an opponent from touching it), the ball is simply thrown in. The rule has been a staple in the SANFL since 2016 and in AFLW since 2018 (initially trialed full-field but now limited between arcs), boosting scoring by 10-15% in early SANFL seasons while cutting stoppages and throw-ins.
Background: Origins and Evolution in State and Women’s Leagues
Introduced in the SANFL to combat congestion and inconsistent umpiring, the rule quickly proved effective. SANFL data showed reduced throw-ins and higher scoring, with former SANFL GM Adam Kelly noting it addressed concerns over “the way the game was being played” in 2015. The AFL trialed similar concepts in pre-season NAB Cup matches before adopting it for AFLW in 2018 to create a “more free-flowing game,” as 37% more stoppages plagued the inaugural women’s season.
In AFLW, the rule applies strictly between the arcs: a free kick for untouched disposals, but throw-ins if doubt exists. SANFL umpires use a specific hand signal, and the league’s educational videos clarify scenarios like shepherding, ensuring fair play. AFL officials, including former GM Brad Scott, have praised it as a “positive change” that makes the game “even faster,” watching SANFL closely since 2016.
AFL’s Push: Greg Swann’s Vision for 2026 Implementation
New AFL football performance boss Greg Swann, who joined from the Brisbane Lions in July 2025, is championing the rule’s adoption for the men’s game starting in 2026. In a September 2025 AFL Record interview, Swann confirmed recommendations to the AFL Commission, stating, “We do it in AFLW, the SANFL does it—it’s between the arcs and it’s a kick or a handball.” This aligns with his goal to accelerate play, potentially adding fewer than five free kicks per game while simplifying umpire calls.
The proposal comes amid broader rule reviews, including the 6-6-6 center bounce and substitute rules. Swann’s initiative follows years of AFL observation, with Scott in 2022 noting the league’s “close look” at SANFL’s success. If approved this month, it would mark a significant shift, reducing reliance on intent-based penalties that have drawn criticism for inconsistency.
Coaches’ Skepticism: Not Sold on the Need for Change
Despite its track record, AFL men’s coaches aren’t convinced the rule is necessary. In a September 8, 2025, AFL.com.au report, several expressed doubts, calling it a “drastic change” that could alter the game’s unique diversity of player sizes and styles. One coach worried it might penalize defensive tactics too harshly, while another argued current rules suffice for a fast-paced contest. Yahoo Sports echoed this, noting coaches fear it threatens the “contest up to and over the boundary” that defines AFL.
Reddit discussions on r/AFL highlight mixed fan and coach sentiments: some hail it as “best-tested” from SANFL/AFLW, but others decry early AFLW full-field trials as a “disaster” due to shorthanded teams. BigFooty forums question its fit for elite AFL, with users predicting exploits like handballing into opponents for rebounds—though SANFL experience shows this doesn’t trigger frees.
Expert Opinions and Public Reactions: A Divided Debate
Experts like Kane Cornes, initially skeptical in 2021, now support it after seeing AFL’s “ridiculous interpretations” of deliberate out-of-bounds. AFL umpiring officials back the simplification, with AFLW head Nicole Livingstone noting player receptiveness despite initial “nerves.” Public reaction splits along lines: SANFL fans love it for fewer stoppages, while AFL purists on Reddit prefer maintaining pressure via throw-ins, even if it lowers scoring.
In a 2017 AFL fan poll, only 31% favored a last possession rule, with 9% preferring a simpler last touch version. Recent X (Twitter) buzz post-Swann’s announcement shows optimism from AFLW viewers but resistance from men’s fans, fearing it dilutes the physical contest.
Impact on U.S. Readers: Insights into Global Sports Evolution
For American sports fans, the “last touch” rule mirrors debates in NFL or NBA over rule changes for flow and fairness, like pass interference reviews. Economically, faster AFL games could boost TV viewership and ad revenue, akin to NBA’s emphasis on pace. Lifestyle-wise, it promotes a more accessible, less congested product, appealing to casual U.S. viewers discovering Aussie rules via streaming.
Politically neutral, it ties into tech advancements like video reviews for boundary decisions. For sports enthusiasts, it affects fantasy leagues by altering hit-outs (SANFL averages 71 vs. AFL’s 78) and ruck roles. As AFL expands stateside through partnerships, such tweaks could make the sport more akin to fast-paced U.S. codes, drawing in soccer or basketball fans.
Conclusion: A Rule with Proven Pedigree, But AFL Resistance Lingers
The “last touch” rule simplifies out-of-bounds calls by focusing on last possession, successfully reducing congestion in SANFL since 2016 and AFLW since 2018. Greg Swann’s push for 2026 adoption signals AFL’s intent to modernize, but coaches’ doubts highlight concerns over game identity and tactics.
Looking ahead, the AFL Commission’s decision this month could usher in smoother play, but expect tweaks based on feedback. For fans, it’s a chance to evolve the world’s greatest contest—balancing speed with the raw physicality that sets AFL apart. If implemented, it might just win over skeptics, proving SANFL and AFLW right.