In the current football climate it is common knowledge that clubs are finding it more and more difficult to find or recruit volunteers to help out on game days. In response to this and other feedback the OKFNL has adopted the last touch out of bounds rule for the Pinkerton Security Reserves and U19’s competition for season 2018.
While similar to the rule that we currently see in the AFLW, SANFL & AFLX, there will be some modifications made to suit the OKFNL. When the ball leaves the field of play, if the field umpire is clear on who touched it last a free kick will be awarded to the opposition from the point of exit. In any circumstances where it is not clear who touched the ball last (marking contests, ground ball contests, tackles over the line etc), the field umpire shall have the ball returned to them, who will then bring the ball 10m in from the boundary from where it left the field of play and be thrown up.
The rule will mean that no boundary umpires will be required in both competition’s for 2018 and will be kept in place during the finals series.
The OKFNL hope the introduction of this rule will prevent clubs from frantically looking for volunteers on game day and in some instances where umpires or volunteers pull out at late notice delaying the start time of games.
Last Modified on 22/03/2018 13:08
