The pinning of arms and sending a player ground-ward has been an emerging concern for the AFL as the intensity of tackling has increased, with a number of players sustaining injuries, especially concussions and shoulder injuries, in this type of incident.

The umpires are looking for dangerous actions in the pinning of arms – this would typically be two actions, such as excessive force in lifting an opponent or driving him into the turf. Pinning the arms itself does not warrant a penalty.

The ducking of heads to draw a free, or a player "driving" into a largely stationary opponent, has also been highlighted by the umpires as an issue of concern that will be looked at closely, despite reforms aimed at preventing this kind of action aimed at getting frees for too high.

The laws of the game committee had ushered in changes in which players who "drove" into stationary, or near stationary, opponents head-first would not draw frees, while head ducking, too, would not bring a free if the action was created by the ducker, and the approaching player had not contributed to the high contact.

Meanwhile, Evans expressed caution about the AFL expanding the use of video technology to include situations before the scoring of a goal or behind – such as the Jamie Elliott goal on Anzac Day when the ball appeared to be out of bounds when Elliott kicked it.