No grand plans for Scott to revamp rules

NEW AFL football boss Brad Scott has made clear he plans no dramatic intervention into the game’s rules in his new role in the league’s revamped team.

The AFL yesterday announced legal boss Andrew Dillon as the executive general manager of football with Scott reporting to him on a portfolio including rules, umpiring and the match review.

Scott is the latest big name to be linked to Carlton’s vacant position but made clear he never had “discussions” with the Blues about their role.

He said one of his key tasks would be to talk to the long list of former AFL coaches not prepared to re-enter the game given the immense demands on senior coaches.

His brother Chris Scott admitted last year senior coaching was “not a very good job”, while John Longmire has urged the AFL to take seriously Don Pyke’s warning about the mental toll on coaches.

But while his role is wideranging fans will be anxiously awaiting his impact on rules, with Hocking making clear he would have reduced the interchange again next year.

But Scott’s opening salvo will be music to the leave-thegame-alone traditionalists, suggesting the changes including the stand rule and reduced interchange needed time to take effect.

“Steve Hocking is going to leave a lasting legacy to the game. I think the game looks fantastic. Everyone would agree the standard of footy this year has been exceptional and my personal view is Steve Hocking has done a lot of the heavy lifting,” Scott said.