JLT Community Series Round 1: Ultimate Guide, teams, fixtures, rule changes, times

With this year's AFLX tournament in the books, teams' attentions turn to the JLT Community Series as they look to ramp up preparations for the opening round of the season on March 21.

The first match of this year's JLT Community Series will see old rivals Carlton and Essendon face off at Carlton's Ikon park.

Headlining the clash for the Bombers will be the return of star forward Joe Daniher, who will make his first apperance on a football field since last May after missing most of last season with osteitis pubis.

Daniher was named in the Bombers team to take on the Blues along with captain Dyson Heppell and star midfielder Zach Merrett who have both had interrupted pre-seasons thus far.

Star Bombers recruit Dylan Shiel will also make his debut for the Bombers, while Carlton's side will see off-season additions Mitch McGovern, Will Setterfield and Nic Newman all making their debuts.

Many AFL fans will also get their first look at No. 1 pick Sam Walsh who has wowed observers within the club and starred in the Blues' practice hitout against the Hawks earlier this month.

Much like last season's pre-season tournament, there will be no winner and all matches will be played on local grounds as a part of the community initiative.

Here is everything you need to know about the 2019 JLT Community Series:

JLT Community Series Week 1 Fixtures

Thursday, February 28:
Carlton v Essendon, Ikon Park, 6.40pm local time

Friday, March 1:
West Coast Eagles v Geelong Cats, Leederville Oval, 4.10pm local time

Saturday, March 2:
North Melbourne v St Kilda, Avalon Airport Oval, 1.30pm local time
Adelaide Crows v Port Adelaide, The Memorial Oval, 3.40pm local time
GWS Giants v Sydney Swans, Blacktown International Sportspark, 7.10pm local time

Sunday, March 3:
Brisbane Lions v Hawthorn, Moreton Bay Central Sports Complex, 12.40pm local time
Richmond v Melbourne, Deakin Reserve, 4.40pm local time
Gold Coast Suns v Western Bulldogs, Great Barrier Reef Arena, 6.40pm local time

Monday, March 4:
Fremantle v Collingwood, HBF Arena, 3.40pm local time

How to watch the JLT Community Series

Each game from both rounds of the JLT community series will be available live on Fox Footy.

What are the new rules in the JLT Community Series?

The new 6-6-6 formation at centre bounces
Six players per each team will be stationed inside each 50m arc, with one player per team inside the goal square.

Four midfielders will be stationed inside the centre square with two wingmen on each side of the square.

Kick-in man on the mark
The man on the mark on kick-ins will now be stationed 10m away from the top of the goal square as opposed to 5m in previous years. The player kicking in will no longer be required to kick the ball to himself to play on.

Marks and free kicks in defence
When a defender takes a mark or receives a free kick within 9m of their own goal, the man on the mark will be brought back in line with the top of the goal square.

50m penalties
The player with the ball must be allowed to advance the ball without the defensive player interfering in an attempt to delay the game.

The player with the ball will also be able to play on while the 50m penalty is being measured out.

Post-siren goal attempts
Players attempting to kick a goal after the siren will now be able to kick across their body using a check-side kick provided that they take the kick in line with the man on the mark and the goal.

Hands in the back rule
The hands in the back rule has been changed and now allows a player to put his hands in the back of an opponent to protect his own position, provided that he does not push the player in the back.

Ruck contests
Ruckmen who take direct possession of the ball in any ruck contest around the ground will no longer be deemed to have had prior opportunity to dispose of the ball.

Additionally, if there is confusion over the designated ruckman, the ruckman from each team will still be required to nominate to the field umpire