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Ken's 10: The AFL rules that need changing
SEN • March 25th, 2026 9:16 pm
Ken Hinkley has listed 10 rules within the AFL that require immediate change!
With footy boss Greg Swann acting immediately on the new taunting laws, Hinkley decided to list 10 rules currently in play within the game that also require work, ranking them from least to most important on SEN Sportsday.
“I’ve got a list about three times as long if you want some more,” Hinkley said.
See Ken's 10 below:
10. Fix the MRO
“It’s still rubbish. I would remove the potential to cause injury clause. Get rid of it. It is either a suspendible offence, or it isn’t, regardless of whether the injury does or doesn’t happen.”
9. Play on to advantage
“It is either advantage, play on… there is no second chances. You don’t get to go, ‘I’ve taken the shot, I’ve missed, I want it back.
“It’s play on to advantage – you make the choice, you take the option, it’s done. You don’t get a second whack.”
8. The stand rule
“There are some adjustments (needed) with the stand rule. You’ve got to be able to stand on the mark.
“It’s a simple rule; the mark is taken, you have to be allowed to stand (the mark). Let’s not play statues. It’s crazy!
“I like the rule, it’s great. Just needs a little fine tuning.”
7. 15 metre kicks
“Umpires must know how far 15 metres is. I saw a game on the weekend… there was one paid that went seven and a half metres! There are others that have gone 25 metres and not paid a mark.
“It’s 15 metres. Get it right. Give them a tape measure if you have to, whatever it takes.”
6. ‘Too big’ rule
“Fix the ‘too big’ rule! Sam Darcy is struggling with the ‘too big’ rule. I used to be told, Charlie (Dixon) is hard to umpire because he is so big, he can take three people carrying him around.
“I said, ‘hang on, what’s the rule? Is he allowed to be held onto, is he allowed to be hit high?’ No, he’s just too big.
“Get rid of the ‘too big’ rule! Six foot 10 is an advantage, not a disadvantage!”
5. Taggers holding
“Stop the taggers from holding. I don’t believe we stopped taggers from holding. That’s a simple one.”
4. Never bring back the substitute
“Never use the word sub again. Never ever to be brought back. It’s out of the game, never bring it back. Worst position in a game for a player.”
3. 6-6-6 warnings
“The simple stuff. 6-6-6 warnings. That is crap, not to get a free kick now. How can we not, after how many years that we’ve been doing it… (not get a free kick).
“We go back to the centre, ‘that’s your warning!’”
2. Out of zone umpires
“This is a coaches hate and my own hate. Out of zone umpires blowing the whistle when they are 100 per cent certain… I’m not sure you can be 80 metres away and be 100 per cent certain.”
1. Ruck free kicks
“When two ruckmen wrestle, stop getting. Play on.
“Both sets of midfielders go, ‘whose free kick?’ Both ruckmen run away to get back behind the ball because they are not sure if they’ve given away the free kick.
“Just play on.”
