Rule changes that will clearly differentiate women's football from men's competition, and shape how the AFL's female league will look in its launch season, will be trialled in a new series of preparatory matches.
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In an additional series of AFL-sanctioned test games to be played in the Northern Territory from May 14, there will be 16-players-a-side, quarters will be reduced to 15 minutes with no time-on, and 'last touch', 'high density' and 'protected area' rules will be introduced.
Aimed at increasing the flow of matches, game speed and scoring, the rule modifications to be pioneered by AFLNT, which Fairfax Media understands have been written and developed in consultation with the AFL, will be formally unveiled on Wednesday.
A seven-round, four-team 'Women's Lightening Series' has a naming rights sponsor in TIO, and will feature Crows red, blue white and yellow sides. All the games will be curtain raisers to NT Thunder NEAFL home games.
Similar to how rules are trialled in the elite men's pre-season series – some of these are subsequently introduced to the premiership season - the rules to be trialled in the Top End's Lightning Series will be closely monitored as the AFL refines its women's league plans for next year.
The 'high density' rule will mandate that two forwards and their opponents must remain inside their 50-metre arcs at all stoppages.
The 'protected area' rule will enforce a space of 10 metres around the mark.
The 'last touch' rule will see a free kick paid against a team for any kick or handball that goes out of bounds without being touched.
The Adelaide Crows' place in the national, eight-club AFL women's league to launch next year is a formality given Port Adelaide will not apply for an entry licence from year one and the league wants one side in South Australia from 2017. The Crows are partnering with the Northern Territory in the AFL's code-transforming initiative.
All clubs must submit their tenders by Friday's deadline and it is a more competitive setting in Victoria in terms of licence bids given the AFL is set to select just four clubs that will have a women's team for season one.
Melbourne, the Western Bulldogs, Collingwood, Carlton, Geelong and North Melbourne are particularly eager to have womens' teams from the landmark season, while Hawthorn are the only Victorian side that has said it will not bid this year.
In Western Australia meanwhile, Fremantle and West Coast's shared intent to win the first licence has generated talk of two sides in Perth from 2017, though it is highly unlikely to occur.
