The league on Monday checked off the controversial 50m penalty against Fremantle’s Brennan Cox at the weekend because Cox moved slightly backwards after the umpire called “stand’’.A player is not permitted to move laterally, forward or backwards after the umpire has made his call.Watch every match of the 2021 AAMI Community Series LIVE on Kayo. New to Kayo? Get your free trial now & start streaming instantly >The Cox penalty was one of six 50m penalties paid against players for moving on the mark from nine practice matches.There were up to 2000 stop play situations in the matches.“We’re very, very happy with where it’s at when you consider the amount of times the ball was stopped during play at the weekend,’’ AFL head of football Steve Hocking said.Hocking on Monday meet with his analysis team to review the weekend’s matches and will do so again next Monday after the AAMI series.“It was our first real opportunity to have a look at it and we will continue to look at it, as we did with 6-6-6, and if there needs to be a sublet adjustment to it, that’s what we will do over the coming weeks,’’ Hocking said.Asked if that would involve relaxing of the rule in the forward 50m zone, Hocking wouldn’t elaborate.“We’ve got vision and we will work through it Monday and will do it next week post the AAMI series games,’’ he said.“We’re still three weeks out from the season starting.’’The Cox incident outraged online fans on Sunday night, but Hocking on Monday supported the umpire’s decision.“To the letter of the law, he turned his back on the player and moved backwards,’’ Hocking explained.“You can’t move sideways, you can’t move backwards after ‘stand’ is called.’’The rule, plus the extended area from a kick in, was introduced to aid ball movement and, it is hoped, increase scoring.The players, Hocking said, had adapted.“What we’re trying to do is adjust behaviour and muscle memory is part of that,’’ Hocking said.“Players have been able to take a lot of real estate for a number of years, so it just takes time.“There were up 2000 stop play passages in the weekend’s matches and six 50m penalties were paid for players moving on the mark.“It’s not too bad for a new rule.“The players and umpires coach have done unbelievable job.”Hocking revealed players will get roughly three seconds to decide if they will man the mark or where to man the mark. As well calling “stand’’, umpires will raise a hand in a stopping motion.Hocking expects to see further strategies employed by the player on the mark during this week’s one-match pre-season competition.“The player can actually decide to move slightly to an angle to take part of that kicking lane away if he wants to. So, there’s about two or three seconds for that to happen before the umpire calls stand,’’ he said.SuperCoach is back for 2021For example, a player about to stand on the mark on the wing-boundary area could move laterally towards the central corridor for three seconds before the umpire commanded him to stand still.“Then he is pinged to that position,’’ Hocking said.“That’s what clubs will pick up in time.“We’ve got a small sample size and you will see examples this weekend that will prick your ears because it will be different to last weekend. That’s how clubs work.’’The AFL made about 300 visits to clubs over the pre-season to educate the new rules.



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