Lions test-pilot change in rules

THE AFL yesterday anchored a fullback and fullforward in giant goalsquares in radical rule changes trialled by Brisbane Lions players.

AFL umpires adjudicated the session and league football boss Steve Hocking, umpires boss Grant Williams and offsider James Podsiadly watched the 20-minute Gabba hitout.

The league filmed the session, as it did for Hawthorn’s secret trial at Etihad Stadium last week.

Lions football boss David Noble said the proposed rules saw the game flow freely.

Noble wants the AFL to decide what the game will look like soon so the Lions can adjust their draft plans accordingly.

“(Rule changes) might have an impact on how you use certain draft picks,” he said. “If there are changes that have a significant impact on how the game is played and coached, it would absolutely have consequences on how you draft.”

The Lions played two 10minute halves yesterday and tested different scenarios.

At centre bounces, each team had to have six players in the three zones of the field.

They were also required to start three pairs of players in each arc at every stoppage, with one pair starting in a goalsquare expanded to 25m.

Players were able to open up the field by kicking out 25m from goal after a behind.

They could also run 20m before bouncing, but that rarely occurred yesterday.

Lions coach Chris Fagan is on the league’s competition committee, a group of presidents, CEOs, coaches, football managers and players discuss- ing potential rule changes.

They next meet in Melbourne on July 26.

Noble said the club was asked to provide feedback on how the Lions would coach under such rules so the committee could determine if any changes would succeed in their objectives for reducing congestion.

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley wants the AFL to leave the game alone, but fears starting positions are inevitable.

“I can (see them coming),” Hinkley said.

“I hear enough noise and I went and watched the under-18s and the zones were there. You’ve got to be really, really careful — you get tough conditions and you might have 10 players not see the ball.”

The AFL has set an October deadline to make changes for next season.