Ryan Lonie was the master of lining up the goals from outside the arc. The left-footer thrived in the pre-season when the Super Goal rules were introduced and to this day holds the Collingwood record for the most nine-pointers with five.
The ever-exciting Alan Didak (3) wasn’t far behind him, while Anthony Rocca and Nathan Buckley also enjoyed launching from outside 50.
The current crop of Magpies have a bit of work to do if they are to catch these long-goal leaders. But they have the opportunity in front of them. The nine-pointers are back in 2016.
Three players currently share the lead for most Super Goals scored by those on the 2016 list.
Travis Cloke and Dane Swan have two apiece, while Jesse White also has two – one for Sydney and another for Collingwood.
The Super Goals rule is one of nine variations to home and away season rules that will take place this NAB Challenge.
Five changes are specific NAB Challenge rules, while the remaining four are new trials for the pre-season ahead.
Below are the NAB Challenge rule interpretations for 2016.
RULES
Specific rules
Nine points awarded for goals kicked from outside the 50m arc. This is called a supergoal.
A player awarded a 50m penalty which takes them inside the 50m area can elect either to kick from outside 50 for nine points or kick from inside 50 for six points.
Longer breaks between quarters, if the weather requires.
Interchange: Rounds one and two – eight interchange and unlimited rotations per team (no substitutes). Round three – six interchange and cap of 90 rotations per team (no substitutes).
Time-on/off: Rounds one and two – no time-on/off in first 15 minutes of each quarter unless a goal is scored or there is a major undue delay. The final five minutes of each quarter reverts to normal time-on/off scenarios. Round three – 20 minutes plus normal time-on/off scenarios.
New trials for 2016
The line of the mark: An adjustment to the line of the mark, except when a player takes a mark or receives a free kick within the forward 50, will be trialled.
Protected area: The protected area described in Law 16.1.2 will be modified by increasing the lateral width. The width will be increased from 5m to either 8m or 10m. To determine the final width and facilitate its introduction, the options will be discussed and tested with clubs during the pre-season and the NAB Challenge. It will be 10m for at least the first two weeks of the NAB Challenge.
Dangerous tackles: Dangerous tackling techniques will be further discouraged by a stricter interpretation of free kicks for lifting, slinging, driving or rotating tackles with excessive force.
Deliberate out of bounds: A stricter interpretation of deliberate out of bounds will be applied in 2016, based on a player not showing enough intent to keep the ball in play.
While these restrictions will be gospel when Collingwood begin their NAB Challenge campaign on Friday, the history of pre-season rules suggest that they may not last forever. Some of the most memorable interpretations include:
2003
- Three points awarded for a deliberate rushed behind.
2005
- Play on called if the ball hits the goal post and bounces back into play.
2006
- Play on called for backwards kicks, except in a team’s attacking 50m arc.
2007
- Boundary and goal umpires allowed to pay free kicks.
- Play on called for backwards kicks in the defensive half of the field.
- Kicks must travel 20 metres to be paid a mark.
2008
- Eight players on the interchange bench with only 16 interchanges per quarter.
2009
- Free kick awarded for a rushed behind.
