Fremantle captain Nat Fyfe isn’t expecting the new man on the mark rule to result in too many 50 metre penalties as players across the league adapt to the rule change.
 
Players on the mark are now only allowed minimal lateral movement, with the intention of creating a more attacking and free-flowing game.
 
There were a handful of 50 metre penalties given in scratch matches around the AFL over the weekend including in Fremantle’s clash with West Coast on Saturday at Lathlain Park.
 
Fyfe understood the concerns expressed by fans but said internally, Fremantle were adapting to the change.
 
“It’s probably upsetting people on social media a bit more than the players themselves because most clubs have had umpires training with us across January and February,” Fyfe told 3AW.
 
“We’ve seen countless examples of these tiny little switch offs by the person on the mark costing 50s.
 
“Most players are already adapting to the new rule. I think what (AFL head of football) Steve Hocking has done is try and open the game up and get more free-flowing footy. It’s the right mindset, it’s where we want the game to go.
 
“We want to score more and the cost is going to be some of these frustrations as everyone adjusts to the new rules.”

Fyfe hopes he will be one of the players making an impact on the scoreboard in 2021, but he expects he will continue predominantly as a midfielder who switches forward on occasions.
 
“It always interests me how much people want to ask this question about where midfielders will end up,” Fyfe said.
 
“My game (won’t) change too much from what you’ve seen the last couple of years … I’ll be used through the midfield and the front half of the field and trying to kick a few more goals but I don’t think I’ll be stationed at full forward for long periods.”

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