BASKETBALL, AFL

League considers adopting a bunker mentality

THE AFL says it is open to adjudicating on all goal review decisions from a centralised bunker as the NRL trials its own review system.

The league continues to hone its goal review technology, with one review of 56 deemed incorrect and goalpost cameras adding clarity to the process this year.

But with 11 of those reviews deemed inconclusive, AFL football boss Mark Evans says the league is open to a bunker system where one crew reviews all games.

The NRL is successfully trialling that technology, which sees greater consistency from a small team reviewing every decision in a season.

The AFL is encouraged by the direction of the game after 10 rounds, with less free kicks, more flow and the new match review panel system handing out 50 per cent less suspensions.

Evans said yesterday the one negative was the bold aggressive play of teams was not being replicated in increased scoring.

Teams are averaging 86.8 points a game — almost exactly the same as last year’s total, which was the lowest average in 50 years.

He said yesterday improved defensive mechanisms were holding teams at bay despite a more flowing style.

“The things we are pleased about are the tweaks to the holding-the-ball and prior opportunity rules coupled with what appears to be a more attacking mindset from coaches about moving away from stop- pages,’’ Evans said. “Those things make it feel like the game has become more open.

“It hasn’t resulted in increased scoring so the defensive structures in the game are still good enough even if the ball is moving up and down the field to repel the ball.

“We would have liked a bit more scoring, seeing those changes in the game.”

The AFL will not yet com- mit to goal line cameras at each ground despite compelling statistics highlighting their effectiveness.

Evans said the AFL was happy to consider a centralised system for reviews.

“I would have thought it is the way of the future. There are a whole lot of logistics challenges but we have seen it work in the US and the NRL are doing it for some games.”