THE AFL has indicated that the new ruck rule will be modified so that a player in a “passive’’ position will not have a free paid against him.

While the league has to consult with clubs, it is expected to have this rule clarified by the weekend’s JLT Community Series games and well and truly bedded down for the premiership season.

The adjustment of the rule comes after Adelaide’s Dean Gore had a free paid against him on Sunday, when he was struck by the ball in his back, due to a shallow boundary throw in.

The AFL recognised that a strict “letter of the law’’ ruling — such as the Gore incident — was not sensible and has moved to ensure that a player in this position won’t have a free paid against him (or her).

Round 18

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The AFL’s director of umpiring Peter Schwab said the league would seek feedback from the clubs before making an adjustment. The league subsequently confirmed that this change was expected to be done immediately and the revised rule in place for this weekend’s practice games.

The AFL said that if a player was “actively’’ involving himself in the ruck contest, a free kick would be paid against him. A player in Gore’s “passive’’ position would not be penalised, with the umpire calling play on.

The new ruck rule, which bars a third man from entering the ruck contests, is seen as an advantage to the most dominant ruckmen, such as Aaron Sandilands and Max Gawn.

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