A goal umpire on the job during Hawthorn's Marsh clash with St Kilda. Picture: screenshot

GOAL umpires are winding back the clock 26 years.

For the first time since 1994, umpires will no longer be forced to return to the centre of the goals to signal a major.

Instead, they've been given a licence to award a goal between the goalposts using the shortest distance and time from where they're positioned when a ball sails through.

It will also ensure the goal umpire have fewer 'mechanical' movements in signalling a goal.

It has started in the first two weeks of the Marsh Community Series and last week's State of Origin clash and will continue for the 2020 premiership season.

From 1995-2019, goal umpires were required to return to the centre of the goal line to signal a goal.

The same approach will continue in the NAB AFL Women's Competition.