The introduction of a nationwide policy for the conduct of Australian Rules Football at junior levels will help the AFL to remain a step ahead of rival codes, according to Port Adelaide coach Mark Williams.

As a former PE teacher and longtime junior coach, in addition to his lengthy playing and coaching career at the game's highest level, Williams was not surprisingly front and centre for the launch of the policy in Adelaide on Monday.

Developed for all levels between the ages of five and 18, the policy features modified rules for the youngest participants, emphasising skill development, safety and enjoyment over competition.

Williams said the policy would help parents to be confident in choosing footy as a sporting pathway for their children in the face of increasing pressure from soccer.

"What it does is make sure there's a set idea of a pathway of where to go and if parents are confident there is a pathway they'll jump on board," Williams said.

"Skill progression is one thing, safety is another thing, enjoyment is another thing and the participation in a team shouldn't be overlooked and they really cater for that as well.

"There have been bits and pieces everywhere from SA, to WA to Victoria and all over Australia, there've been different ideas, what they're doing now is getting it all together.

"The AFL understand it's not going to change overnight to be perfect, but in the next two or three years everyone will agree to do it this way."

The A-League grand final has dominated the news media in both Melbourne and Adelaide over the past few days, making the AFL's custodians very aware of the need to keep pushing their product at all levels.

"Soccer has some wonderful aspects to it, obviously they only use their legs and don't have to use their hands, AFL is a difficult sport because the ball bounces different ways but I think that's why we love it," Williams said.

"The best thing we've got in Australia is that if people wanted to come and watch the absolute best players every week they can, in soccer it might be twice a year they get to see the best Australian players.

"It's our game, we invented it, played over a huge field with lots of participants, and it's got the aggression part which I think is just a brilliant part, the physical contact, once you've played the game you know that's the highlight of the game and soccer can never provide that."

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