Bounce, draws facing chop

THE future of the umpire’s bounce will be decided at the AFL Commission’s October meeting as the league considers scrapping home-and-away draws.

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan also said yesterday the “compelling” nature of West Coast’s overtime win over Port Adelaide had excited the AFL.

The league’s new football boss Steve Hocking will start on October 16 and has extratime on the agenda.

The AFL has already moved to introduce extra-time in grand finals.

The AFL’s umpires are in revolt over the bounce and have said they will consider their position if they are forced to continue the practice. It is understood the AFL Commission will consider an AFL executive recommendation at next month’s meeting.

The AFL umpires have already put in a detailed submission on why the bounce should be abolished.

It includes the injuries to senior umpires from bouncing and the fact so few up-andcoming umpires at lower levels are taught to bounce.

AFL umpires’ association boss Peter Howe said last month 25 of the 33 senior umpires had suffered a back, shoulder or stress-related injury through bouncing in recent seasons.

Acting AFL football boss Andrew Dillon will consider a position statement from the Laws of the Game committee before making his recommendation. It is understood some members believe scrapping the bounce is inevitable either this year or in coming seasons.

McLachlan is a traditionalist and says he favours the bounce being retained in some capacity. But he clearly has shifted his view on home- and-away draws. “Clearly we will have a look at everything. It was clearly compelling. I like the draw as part of our game and I still think it has a place,’’ he told 3AW yesterday.

“I certainly think in the context of extra time the other night for the third time ever, it’s worth having a look at in that context for the home-andaway season.”