THE NAB Challenge is known as much for its ‘rule tinkering’ as it is for providing a platform for teams to finalise their preparation for the main season.
Classic rules – like the nine-point ‘supergoal’ – remain in place, and any goal kicked from beyond the 50-metre line will be counted towards the mega score.
Then there’s the rules adapted for the hotter conditions.
With games played around the country at regular stadia and regional grounds, teams will be afforded longer quarterly breaks and an extended bench of eight players and no rotations.
Time on will not be employed for the first 15 minutes of each quarter, except in the event of a goal or major delay – such as a stretcher being called onto the ground.
New rules relating to the ‘protected area’ that exists when a player marks the ball have also been adopted for the NAB Challenge, with players not permitted within 10 metres of the player on the mark and the player with the ball.
Previously the protected area was five metres.
The man on the mark will also be prevented from ‘creeping’ around to close space available to the player with the ball.
Players standing the mark will only be permitted to move laterally on the mark.
The final game of the NAB Challenge will revert to the regular four-man bench with 90 interchange rotations and the normal rules in the league law book, although supergoals will remain.
Port Adelaide plays the Sydney Swans in its first NAB Challenge game at Blacktown on Saturday 20 February at 4:40pm (AEDT)
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