The AFL Commission has abandonned the option of a grand final replay, which was needed most recently six years ago.
Finals matches that are drawn now will be decided by two five-minute periods of extra-time.
If the match is still level after that 10 minutes, play will continue until a "golden score".
If extra-time is needed in any final, the teams will change ends between the two five-minute periods.
If the game is still tied after the second period, there will be no siren until the golden score.
AFL football operations manager Mark Evans said the decision to abandon the replay ensured a grand final drawn at full-time would go down as a classic.
"You get yourself into a grand final and it's a gripping [game] -- and instead of having the flat feeling at the end that no-one has won, you actually produce the game for all ages," he said.
"You have a fight out there on the day and you walk away saying 'that is the best game in the history of AFL'.
"The chances of that happening out of a replay are diminished."
Collingwood easily beat St Kilda in the 2010 replay, the third in history after 1948 and 1977.
AFL chairman Mike Fitzpatrick said the non-Victorian teams, especially those in Perth and Queensland, were also considered in the decision-making process.
"We took into account the historic value and uniqueness of this issue to our game," he said.
"But ... fairness to the competing teams in a national competition requires that we no longer demand a replayed match."
Fitzpatrick said the decision reflected the majority view of clubs, fans and players.
"[They] are keen to come to grand final day and see the best team win on the day," he said.
"It's good to make these decisions when you're not under pressure to make them.
"It's been an objective look at the game, the national competition and the impact on interstate clubs."