In a first for the NAB Cup, all 18 clubs have had all matches fixtured for the opening rounds of the competition.

The first round will again feature pools of three teams, with the GC SUNS to host Melbourne and the Brisbane Lions. Each club will play two shortened matches comprising of 20-minute halves across a three-hour window.

The remaining rounds will see the GC SUNS play full-scale matches against Geelong, at Metricon Stadium and the GWS Giants in Albury.

The two best-performed teams in the opening three rounds will compete in the NAB Cup Grand Final on Saturday March 17. The 16 other clubs will play NAB Cup matches that weekend across March 16-17 in various metropolitan cities across the country.

There will be four trial rules played during the NAB Cup:

1. Interchange system with two interchange and two substitute players on the bench (will not be used in the final week of the NAB Cup)

The AFL will trial the use of two substitute players on the interchange. It has already been determined that the 3 interchange and 1 substitute player will remain in place for 2012 Premiership Season. In rounds two and three when teams are playing four quarter matches, four new players may be introduced for the second half of each game.

2. Free kick against player who drags or holds ball under opponent

As an extension of the rule trialled in both the 2010 and 2011 NAB Cup, the umpire may pay a free kick against a player who drags the ball under his opponent, and may also pay a free kick against a player who holds a ball under his opponent, when he is trying to knock it out.

3. Deliberate out of bounds

A free kick will be paid against the last team to dispose of the ball with a kick or a handball before it goes out of bounds, provided no-one else touches the ball before it goes out. A stricter version of the rule was trialled last year, but it was felt the ‘last touch’ element was too harsh in certain situations, and this has been altered in 2012 to a last kick, last handball or a player walking the ball over the line.

4. Ruck Contests at Field Bounces and Throw-ins

Ruckmen will not be permitted to make contact with their opponent prior to bounces and throw-ins, with umpires ensuring the players do not make contact with each other until the ball leaves the umpire’s hand. The trial is designed to encourage ruckmen to contest the ball, rather than focus on nullifying their opponent, as well as making ruck contests easier to adjudicate.

In response to requests from clubs, the final round of the NAB Cup, competition will be played with Premiership Season rules to allow clubs sufficient preparation for the Premiership Season. The NAB Supergoal will still be a feature of the NAB Cup Grand Final.

In addition the trial rules, there will be two umpiring trials:
1. Boundary and Goal umpires pay free kicks for holding & high contact at stoppages

As an extension to the 2010 and 2011 NAB Cup Trial, boundary and goal umpires may pay free kicks for obvious holding or high contact infringements. They will not pay any other form of free kick.

2. Consultation process for scoring decisions

As per the trial that was used in the 2011 NAB Cup, the official scorer would be able to participate in the consultation process for scoring decisions. If the trial is again successful, it may be introduced for the 2012 Toyota AFL Premiership Season.

FOXTEL, AUSTAR and FOX SPORTS will kick off the new AFL television rights deal for 2012-2016 by exclusively covering all of the matches in round one of the NAB Cup live and a minimum of five matches live in each of rounds two and three, all in High Definition and uninterrupted siren to siren. The NAB Cup Grand Final will be broadcast live by both FOX SPORTS and the Seven Network.

Tickets are on sale now from Ticketmaster for both events. Kids under 15 years are free for tickets brought in advance and family General Admission tickets start at just $34 for two adults and two kids.

Like all Gold Coast SUNS premiership games, the NAB CUP matches have an integrated match and public transport ticket. Please visit metriconstadium.com.au or call 07 5644 6200 during office hours for more information.

Match Details
Round 1: GC SUNS v BRISBANE LIONS v MELBOURNE
Saturday, 25 February 2012
Metricon Stadium, Broadbeach-Nerang Road, Carrara.

Match 1: Gold Coast Suns v Melbourne, 6:10pm
Match 2: Melbourne v Brisbane Lions, 7:15pm
Match 3: Brisbane Lions v Gold Coast Suns, 8:20pm

Round 2: GC SUNS v GEELONG
7.40pm, Friday 2 March
Metricon Stadium, Broadbeach-Nerang Road, Carrara.

Tickets available now: ticketmaster.com.au, phone 1300 136 122 or any Ticketmaster outlet.

AFL Members have free admission so they can scan their 2012 membership card into general admission (subject to capacity) or upgrade to a general admission ticket to guarantee their entry into the ground.