AFL’S TESTING TIME?

Lions open to trialling new rules

AFL: Brisbane is open to trialling proposed new rules in-season despite the league being savaged by AFL greats for ruining the game’s integrity.

League boss Gillon McLachlan has confirmed the AFL is having “a look at” trialling proposed rule changes in premiership matches this season and Brisbane chief executive Greg Swann yesterday said the Lions were open to the idea.

Brisbane take on Gold Coast in Round 22, with the Lions and Suns having previously said the NEAFL curtain-raiser to that game was a better rule trials format.

As recently as last week the AFL had said an in-season rules trial would not go ahead this year but Swann, whose coach Chris Fagan attended the AFL’s competition committee meeting yesterday, said the Lions were open to an AFL approach.

“They haven’t asked us but Chris is with the Competition Committee today where you would think they might ask,” he said.

“Our game against Gold Coast is probably the one they could do. If everyone is happy about that, it wouldn’t bother us too much.

“No one is playing for a draft pick, both sides would be going out to win.”

Critics, including Leigh Matthews and Cameron Ling, have attacked the AFL, with Swann admitting it was a left-field suggestion.

“But people can get a fullgame trial in and see what effect the rules have. We would support it philosophically,” he said.

AFL Hall of Fame member Matthews said testing out new rules in a fixture would be a slight on the game.

“It seems demeaning to me, a bit like it’s demeaning the game,” he said.

“I kind of thought when I played myself and coached my players, every game was like a grand final. That was my philosophy to competing.”

Ling also voiced his disappointment with the idea.

“In regards to trialling rule changes in current season, every game matters for fans, draft picks and integrity,” he said.

While the AFL is yet to confirm any rules trial, McLachlan said there were games available in the closing rounds of the season that could be used which would not put the integrity of the competition at risk.

“(We’re) certainly thinking about it,” McLachlan said of the trials.

“I can tell you there are three fixtures on consecutive weekends that I don’t think will have any bearing on the eight as we stand today.”

McLachlan said the trial would only go ahead with consent from the competing teams.