Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson has spoken at length about the new man on the mark rule in 2021, saying it was crucial all clubs were up to speed about the interpretation before the season begins next month.
The AFL announced several new rule changes for the upcoming season, one of which sees players unable to deviate after an umpire calls ‘stand’ while they’re manning the mark.
Clarkson said the new rule was an “enormous challenge” for the umpiring department and was hoping players from all clubs wouldn’t be caught off guard in the opening rounds of the season.
“The intent is (to see more scoring),” he said on SEN Breakfast.
“We’re hopeful in some of the discussions that we’ve had with the AFL and the umpires about the adjudication of (the rule).
“It’s going to be an enormous challenge to the umpiring department, they’re regularly coming out to all of the clubs. While it’s a change for all the players in terms of how they’re going to adjust, it’s almost enormously demanding on the umpires on how they’re going to adjust.
“When you consider that there could be anywhere from 180 to 200 marks per game where you need to adjudicate on where the man on the mark is standing and whether they take a step, I know they’re working closely with the clubs.
“It’s really both parties – the umpires and the clubs - that the intention of the rule is to try and get more scoring in the game.
“I think we need to make sure it’s done really well so in the first game of the season we don’t have 15 or 20 50-metre penalties.”
Hawthorn will travel to Tasmania to play North Melbourne in their one and only AAMI Community Series match, before they open their 2021 season against Essendon in Round 1.