AFL umpires have been instructed to pay more free kicks against players sliding into contests and will re-examine the guidelines it issues to the tribunal around rough conduct.
Sliding has not been outlawed, but will be penalised when there is a risk it could cause injury.
“AFL umpires have been instructed to be particularly aware of the tactic and to pay free kicks against players who slide in, where there is contact to a player below the knee and the risk of injury,” the AFL said in a statement on Thursday.
Following weeks of contention and confusion surrounding sliding, the AFL has written to all clubs in a bid to clarify the matter.
The memo also told clubs that free kicks will be paid against players who slide in with their feet or knees with the potential to cause injury, even if they are first to the ball.
The AFL has also tried to clear up inconsistency between the match review panel and tribunal in relation to sliding.
“Given recent tribunal decisions related to the practice, the AFL will re-examine its guidelines around rough conduct for the tribunal, in serious cases where injury may occur,” the AFL said in a statement.
The tribunal has recently cleared North Melbourne’s Lindsay Thomas and Fremantle’s Greg Broughton for sliding into a contest.
Sydney speedster Gary Rohan broke his leg in the incident involving Thomas.
AFL football operations boss Adrian Anderson said while the tactic was identified by the laws committee last year and the league notified clubs of its potential to cause serious injury, sliding was increasingly prevalent this season.
Anderson said players had a duty of care to opponents to not slide into a contest with their knees or feet first, when there was the potential to cause injury.
“The AFL’s primary concern around the laws of the game continues to be the safety of our players,” Anderson said.