For what it's worth, I feel that allowing fending will naturally lead to more contact in defence as you almost have to stop the attacking player to remove the tag. Otherwise how are you supposed to get to the tag with someone running full speed past you (at spaces, not faces) and they are fending the tag closest to you? By wrapping your arms around to try and get either tag you are effecting a tackle and should be penalised!

The Lost Loiners, for one, are disappointed that this rule is included.

Most tournaments that we have played in, since mid 90's, have disallowed fending due to the risk of increased contact and development of frustration amongst players leading to penalties/violence. Lets see how well the games are controlled by the officials this year.

we can fend the tags, FULL STOP,,

So have I, I always thought you could 'defend' the tag, but handing off was not allowed.

In the IMBRL days, it was like the middle ground between touch and pass and open age full contact. I quite enjoyed it personally, although TBF i've played in 2 games with the new rules and enjoyed them as well.

I agree with Coach, lets see what its like after a year and not 1 or 2 games.

Exactly that, we need to get the rules embedded in and any minor changes made when needed.

All Coach and I are saying is some flexibility for some games and clubs.