Cornes: The “stupidest” rule the AFL has ever introduced

Andrew Slevison • July 2nd, 2025 10:01 am

The stand rule is the “stupidest” rule the AFL has ever implemented.

That is according to Kane Cornes who has taken aim at how the rule is now interpreted.

Cornes has been very vocal about the adjudication of the stand rule and how some teams are flaunting it by not manning the mark altogether.

“I just think it's just been one of the dumbest things we've ever brought in,” Cornes said on SEN Breakfast.

“When you strip it back and actually think about what we are asking the umpires and the players to adjudicate and pull off, it is that we're requiring a team to play with 17 players versus 18.

“That just doesn't sit comfortably with me at all.

“You're asking the the umpires to have eyes on the player with the ball, eyes on the player on the mark, and eyes on those around them, because the protected area also comes into this discussion as well.”

The stand rule was initially introduced in season 2021 in a bid to free the game up by improving overall ball movement and increasing scoring output.

But Cornes simply does not believe that to be the case, particularly from a scoring viewpoint.

“When you look at the reason the stand rule was brought in, it was to increase ball movement and increase scoring,” he continued.

“It certainly hasn't increased scoring. You could argue that it may have impacted ball movement and made it a little bit easier to transition the ball.

“I would argue that when the ball gets in the front half of the ground it does nothing because every team gets their numbers back. It's no easier to move the ball in the front half of the ground than it is prior to the stand rule.

“It might be easier from your back 50, but who cares? Teams are sort of letting you have that option.

“And scoring, well, it just hasn't improved scoring at all. And we're making life so difficult for players, umpires, and confusing for spectators, and the penalty for it, a 50-metre, and often a goal, is far too severe.

“Honestly, I just cannot believe that this rule still exists.

“I think it's the stupidest rule ever brought in.”

The confusion around the stand rule has endured since its inception and reached boiling point earlier this season when the AFL admitted to errors in the adjudication against Essendon.

READ: The memo sent to AFL clubs to clarify stand rule

Brisbane veteran Dayne Zorko spoke on Channel 7’s The Agenda Setters of his frustrations with both the stand and protected area rules.

Zorko admitted that the playing fraternity is “struggling” to nail down the rule.

Listen to Kane’s thoughts on the rule below: