The final was won by Adelaide for the first time in its history, defeating Collingwood by 31 points The AFL introduced a range of innovations for this pre-season competition, the Wizard Home Loans Cup, to make the game faster and more exciting.
Five new rules changes were trialled in the competition, which in itself resorts back to a knock-out format after three years as a round-robin series.
In the most notable innovation, players were awarded nine points for goals kicked outside the 50-metre arc in a move designed to bring the game’s longer kickers into play.
With a running shot at goal, the ball must leave the player’s back foot planted on or outside the 50m line.
The new rules were used in conjunction with those incorporated last year: an expanded interchange bench, and the ball to be bounced only for the start of the match, and then thrown up.