Footy’s need for speed
Kelly says six on the bench would add to AFL ‘spectacle’
ESSENDON assistant coach James Kelly says six players on the interchange this season would improve the spectacle of footy, adamant speed leads to a more attractive game.
As the AFL considers a ruling on its interchange numbers next week, Kelly said the argument that fatigued players leads to less congestion around the ball had been “debunked”.
AFL legend Kevin Bartlett continues to rail against the standard of AFL football, believing less or no interchange would allow the game to break open given fit players now crowd around the ball.
Round 1 produced only 184 goals between 18 teams at an average of 10.2 goals per team, with football at historically low scoring levels.
The league is set to retain four players on the bench, with an official announcement expected by the end of the week.
But triple premiership Geelong star Kelly said yesterday while Essendon would adapt to any decision, fresher players meant better skills and the kind of line-breaking for which Dustin Martin has become renowned.
“I don’t think (six on the bench) would be a bad thing. If it comes to more people getting a chance to play each week against the opposition, that has to be good. Two extra players get to play every week and that’s how I view it,” he said. “It would reduce the load on players who have had interrupted seasons and better enable players to stay on and play more games through the year with no mid-season break so it keeps your good players playing.
“The whole argument about speed and congestion has been debunked. I think the speed and excitement in the game in shorter game time is what people love. It’s a better product with more speed. You can cut through defences quicker, the excitement of the game is going to go up a level with more speed. If you look at the interchange cap, congestion hasn’t gone away.
“Stoppages haven’t reduced, so I think that’s the argument against the congestion debate. I am sure people would debate me on that.
“Imagine having a fresh Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti in the forward line versus an Anthony who is cooked because he hasn’t had a rest. That has to be good for everyone. When Dusty can burst out of a stoppage because he has the legs to do it, that has to be a good thing for everyone.”
The league is expected to retain four interchange members and its cap of 90 rotations.
AFL chief executive Gill McLachlan said on Friday six players on the bench were unlikely given the season did not have to be compressed at this stage.
While players were told in the AFL dossier about biosecurity that the league would seek to arrange practice matches for players who missed AFL berths there is yet to be an official announcement.