FORWARDS READY TO CASH IN ON CHANGES

FOOTBALL’S star forwards who make the ball their only objective will hope to take advantage of the new four-umpire system as officials position themselves closer to goal.

But the AFL’s umpiring team believes it will avoid paying more free kicks as players in marking contests inside 50 quickly adjust their behaviour through the increased umpiring presence.

The league has introduced an extra field umpire in games this season and the by-product will be an umpire at each end much closer to the goalsquare than in previous years.

The hope will be key position forwards who have thrived with greater delivery under the stand rule will again benefit in a game where star forwards remain one of footy’s greatest drawcards.

But AFL head of umpiring Dan Richardson said rather than a surge in free kicks for key forwards the league believed players would hold less which would provide greater opportunities to mark.

Western Bulldogs champion Brad Johnson said key position forwards who were just as capable of holding as defenders would need to fly at the ball with greater regularity.

Richardson said the objective was to miss less free kicks, not reward forwards with a spate of holding frees.

“The fact an umpire is even there and the players know they have a different view in the contest, you would expect that alone might change some behaviour,” he said.

“It will be good for the contest at either end of the ground. There are instances where forwards might be giving away frees for blocking for each other, there are occasions where defensive tactics are pretty strong, so hopefully it means we miss less free kicks at that end of the ground, not necessarily pay more free kicks.

“If there is a bit of a spike in free kicks early in the season the hope will be that it’s not because of four umps. It could be through other reasons that are out there. Sometimes it could be because of the way teams are playing.”

League statistics from 2009-22 show there were more free kicks paid in the first five rounds as players adjust to new interpretations and refine tackling techniques.

Across those 14 seasons with averages of between 36-42 free kicks per game, there were an average of 4.5 free kicks extra in round 1 compared with the rest of the season, 4.05 extra in round 2 and 2.74 extra in round 3 before settling down by round 5.

Johnson said two free kicks to Lincoln McCarthy in the Lions-Cats preseason game showed umpires were in better position to detect holds.

“The ball becomes the target, the players will focus on that and their positioning will be the key,” Johnson said.

“I like it. The trials were successful and I think it will work out quite well. Players will still play strong.”