Uproar shuts down rule changes in ’18
THE AFL’s competition committee has agreed to at least half a dozen rule changes aimed at reducing congestion.
But they appear unlikely to be trialled in late-season games after a fierce backlash against the proposal.
Football operations manager Steve Hocking refused to outline what changes had been agreed, but said yesterday they would be recommended to the AFL Commission and executive and could be introduced next season.
One of the most controversial suggestions — the introduction of starting positions with a six-six-six formation at centre bounces — remained on the table, Hocking said.
At least six but potentially as many as 12 recommendations will be made for the AFL Commission to consider for endorsement at meetings next month and September.
AFL chief Gillon McLachlan had earlier raised eyebrows when he suggested potential rule tweaks could be tested in matches that have no bearing on the top eight in the final rounds of the season.
Hall of Fame member Leigh Matthews said the experiment would be “demeaning” to the AFL while Gold Coast coach Stuart Dew also expressed reservations.
Hocking, who addressed reporters midway through yesterday’s committee meeting, did not rule out trials at AFL level.
But he did concede the league needed to work through whether they would compromise the integrity of the competition.
“There’s really strong agreement as far as the next level . . . that would be our starting point, definitely,” he said.
“The second-tier competitions, they’re queuing up to actually trial the things that we’re looking at.
“Whether it finds its way into an AFL match, that’s clearly a discussion for the commission at some stage.”
Sydney chief executive Andrew Ireland said the Swans and Brisbane Lions had agreed to trial rule changes in their NEAFL games.
Test games at AFL level could include Carlton’s games against Fremantle in Round 21 and the Western Bulldogs in Round 22, as well as the Round 22 clash between Gold Coast and Brisbane Lions.
A major hurdle for the league would be finding a way to ensure the draft order was not compromised.
Carlton appears certain to finish bottom of the ladder and receive the No.1 draft pick but four points separate the 14thplaced Bulldogs from 17thplaced Suns.
Hocking said the committee had started out with 45 potential rule changes and worked towards options that would not radically alter the game.
“It’s important the fans understand that they should take a level of calmness away from these interviews and these discussions,” he said.
“We’re not looking to drop things into the game that are going to upset the rhythm of the game.”