The AFL announced seven rules changes. One of them is absurd

Thursday night, March something, 2026. Essendon-Hawthorn. Round 1, first game of the new AFL season. The ball is tossed high in the air. Mike Fitzpatrick and Kevin Bartlett sit quietly weeping in the stands saying a quiet prayer for the lost bounce. Mostly no one notices. The two rucks jump at one another. Or one does. The other is Lloyd Meek. He realises, cussedly, he cannot jump. Damn the old-is-new ruck rule. Ned Reeves smiles from the bench. “I’m a chance again,” he thinks. The ball falls straight to ground and a pack falls on it. Zach Merrett is held without the ball. The whistle blows, but the umpire isn’t sure which way to point. Which side is Merrett on? He didn’t do the toss earlier.

Thursday night, March something, 2026. Essendon-Hawthorn. Round 1, first game of the new AFL season.

The ball is tossed high in the air. Mike Fitzpatrick and Kevin Bartlett sit quietly weeping in the stands saying a quiet prayer for the lost bounce. Mostly no one notices.

The two rucks jump at one another. Or one does. The other is Lloyd Meek. He realises, cussedly, he cannot jump. Damn the old-is-new ruck rule. Ned Reeves smiles from the bench. “I’m a chance again,” he thinks.

The ball falls straight to ground and a pack falls on it. Zach Merrett is held without the ball. The whistle blows, but the umpire isn’t sure which way to point. Which side is Merrett on? He didn’t do the toss earlier.