WE’RE NOT GUINEA PIGS

Suns coach reluctant to be part of AFL rule change games

GOLD Coast coach Stuart Dew has reservations about his side being used as guinea pigs as the AFL moves to introduce rule tweaks next season.

AFL chief Gillon McLachlan yesterday revealed three games on consecutive weekends had been earmarked for potential trials, sparking a widespread backlash.

The games included the Round 22 clash between Gold Coast and Brisbane.

GOLD Coast coach Stuart Dew has reservations about his side being used as guinea pigs as the AFL moves to introduce rule tweaks next season.

AFL chief Gillon McLachlan yesterday revealed three games on consecutive weekends had been earmarked for potential trials, sparking a widespread backlash. Suggested test games included the Round 22 clash between Gold Coast and Brisbane.

Dew said the Suns had not been contacted by the AFL about trials but would be reluctant to change their players’ focus.

“It sounds like it would be a hard thing to do,” Dew said. “We want to play every game to win, not trial (changes).

“There might not be implications for the finals but there’s players’ careers and club reputations.”

McLachlan was confident the trials would not compromise the integrity of the competition but AFL Hall of Fame member Leigh Matthews believed otherwise.

“It seems demeaning to me, a bit like it’s demeaning the game,” Matthews told Macquarie Sports Radio.

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

McLachlan said the trial would only go ahead with consent from the competing teams. A major hurdle for the league would be finding a way

to ensure the draft order was not compromised.

Carlton appear certain to finish bottom of the ladder and receive the No.1 draft pick but just four points separate the 14th-placed Bulldogs from 17th-placed Suns.

The AFL’s competition committee has agreed to at least half a dozen rule changes aimed at reducing congestion.

Football operations manager Steve Hocking refused to outline what changes had been agreed upon but said they would be recommended to the AFL Commission and executive and could be introduced next season.

One of the most controversial suggestions – the introduction of starting positions with a six-six-six formation at centre bounces – remained on the table, Hocking confirmed.

At least six but potentially as many as 12 recommendations will be made for the AFL Commission to consider.