So, what is 'JLT' anyway?
It stands for Jardine Lloyd Thompson and is the official insurer of the AFL and community footy around the country. JLT replaced NAB as the naming rights partner of the pre-season football competition.
Who will the Power play?
First up is the Saints at Etihad Stadium on Thursday 23 February – technically week two of the competition – followed by games against Richmond in Mount Gambier on Sunday 5 March and Hawthorn at Hickinbotham Oval on Sunday 12 March.
What are the new rule interpretations again?
Among traditional ‘pre-season’ rules like the nine-point supergoal, there are several rules that will be introduced this year including:
Eagle eyes on high tackles. Umpires will call ‘play on’ where they deem the tackled player to drop, shrug, duck or arm-lift to cause high contact to themselves.
Umpires will assess the starting point of the tackle and the degree of force and nature of the tackle to decide.
Applying full force to protected area. Umpires will be penalising players with a 50m penalty for infringements of the protected area when they don’t show a clear intent to immediately leave the area or enters the area in a way that could impact the kicker.
Designated ruckmen. That’s right folks, the so-called ‘third man up’ is outta here. Umpires will now establish the two men competing at the ruck contest at ball ups.
If those designated rucks cannot contest the ball-up or throw-in, no other player will be able to participate until the ball hits the ground.
Free kicks will also be awarded to players pushed or otherwise negatively impacted from contesting the ball.
Don't rush behinds. The umps will be hot on rushing the ball behind the scoreline. Umpires will factor prior opportunity into their thinking much more in 2017, and any rushed behind from beyond the top of the goal square will result in a free kick.
To make life a little easier for players still getting used to this stricter interpretation, the umps will pay a score and then throw the ball up 15m from the goal line during the JLT series.
And what are the other rule modifications?
Supergoals. They're still worth nine points when you kick them behind the 50m line. And a player given a 50m penalty can still opt to take his kick from outside 50m to qualify.
Six players on the bench. And unlimited rotations, because it will probably be fairly toasty out there in the March heat.
Rookies. They're in - any of the Power's Emmanuel Irra, Cam Hewett, Dan Houston, Brett Eddy, Jarrod Lienert, Peter Ladhams and Will Snelling can play during the JLT Series.
No time-on. For the first 15 minutes of each quarter, except for when a goal is scored for significant play delays, but only in the Power's game against the Saints.
What will the Power be wearing?
Teal guernseys with the black and white vees. Shorts will be either white or black, as dictated by the AFL.
How much is it to enter?
If you're a game-access member with a 2017 membership card you can scan into JLT venues for free. If you haven't received your membership card you will receive an email to download a paper ticket.
Otherwise, purchase your tickets here.
