The AFL Commission has approved rule changes to remove the centre bounce and the substitute for the 2026 season.

The league announced the change on Wednesday after “extensive consultation with clubs, umpires, players and the AFLPA”.

The AFL’s manager of football performance, Greg Swann, said the game had evolved, and removing the bounce would bring benefits in “several areas”.

“Currently, umpire pathways are being narrowed by the requirement of the bounce. It is a difficult skill to execute, and we believe is preventing some of our best umpiring prospects from progressing any further in the AFL pathway, despite having elite decision-making skills,” Swann said.

“By removing the skill aspect of bouncing the ball, umpires can focus their energy on adjudicating the game and consistency of

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