They use the pre-season comp to trial changes & rules, but now they have come up with this gem:

CLUBS caught breaking tough new interchange rules will be hit where it hurts most, with an almost certain goal handed to the opposition.

The AFL shocked clubs with the severity of the crackdown, announcing the emergency umpire would now have the power to enforce an immediate free kick and 50m penalty for sloppy bench moves.

If the infringing team has the ball in attack, the umpire will return to the centre circle before stepping out the 50m penalty, meaning a simple opposition shot at goal will always be set up.

Clubs have been given this weekend's round to practise the procedures, but the 50m rule will be enforced in Round 9.

Had the rule been in place in Round 6, North Melbourne would have won the 19th-man drawn game against Sydney.

The fact the Swans played 19 men deep in time-on would have been immediately relayed to the umpires, who would have given the Roos a free shot on goal 20-30m out.

The AFL has consigned the captain's head count to history.

A player cannot enter the field before the AFL interchange steward assigned to the club has been handed a note confirming the impending move.

If a player runs on before the note is approved, the field umpires will immediately be informed via ear-pieces and a 50m penalty awarded.

Players who run on to the ground early, even a metre before the departing teammate crosses the line, will incur a 50m penalty.

Any player who runs off outside the interchange gates will also gift-wrap the opposition a certain goal, but will now be free to return.

Collingwood football manager Geoff Walsh said the AFL had to react to the 19th-man controversy, but questioned if the penalty was too tough for minor breaches.

"I think it's a bit harsh," Walsh said. "We're happy to abide by the rules, but it could only be a matter of centimetres and you cop a double penalty.

"The way the rule reads, it is almost an automatic goal. If it's behind the centre, the ball gets taken to the centre and then there's a 50m penalty."

North Melbourne were not complaining, with football manager Donald McDonald describing the rule as a "really positive move".

"Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but the good thing is everyone can learn from what happened," McDonald said.

Players coming on will be herded into a club holding bay, set 1.5m back from the boundary. They must wait there until the departing teammate crosses the line.

Hawthorn football manager Mark Evans praised the step away from the head count, saying it had no place in the modern game. But he has reserved judgment on how the holding bays will work until after the weekend.

"We need to see how it operates," Evans said.

The AFL's determination to get tough became clear as club football managers took part in a phone hook-up hosted by the league's football operations manager Adrian Anderson and umpires' boss Jeff Gieschen.

The 50m penalty rule could have an impact on spiralling interchange numbers.

Clubs may find it tougher logistically to make 100 moves a game, given it is imperative there is paperwork for each interchange.

If the emergency umpire is not available to enforce the rule, the resting boundary umpire or goal umpire will have power to intervene and contact field umpires via earpieces.

Captains have always had the power to call for a count. If 19 men were found to be on the ground, the offending club had its score wiped. Under the new rules, the 50m penalty and free goal will be an instant penalty - superseding the count.

The AFL will investigate major breaches, and it is understood there is still the potential for loss of points in extreme cases.

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Eagles got stung...

I think they need a procedure like soccer, were they've got a board on the sideline indicated which number is going on and which is coming off...

i think they should have fuckin left it as it was... i've never seen such a mess than when they show highlights/replays of the players interchanging since the new rules were imposed... i mean, it looks like there's no one more confused than them!