16 a side

[Meow]

Highly likely we'd see additional fatigue creep in towards the end of matches. Considering the already strenuous physical demands on players today, I doubt you could run this idea by them without some considerable resistance.

For all the hand-wringing about congestion, it's been less of an issue this season now that a number sides have shifted their focus away from defensive footy. The possibility also remains that with fatigue creeping in, traditional run & carry football becomes more difficult, meaning coaches resort to keepings off and rolling mauls to conserve energy amongst their players. That would ultimately render the change self-defeating.

Not against trialling it during NAB Cup games or at state level, but I expect some on here will be disappointed. People yearning for the era when matches regularly saw 40+ goals kicked between both teams need to take the blinkers off - footy is 10x more watchable today and a far more professional product because coaches, players etc. have enabled it to evolve naturally. Those whinging about congestion, Roos, Lyon etc. are becoming quite tiresome and exhibit a lack of appreciation for the dynamics and complexity of the game.

 

[Whiskers]

I don't think this needs to be high on the list of priorities for the AFL but it would make the game quicker/better.
Also I would have less on the bench and team lists smaller.
Far too many rubbish players playing at the elite level. Get rid of them, this would fix it after GWS/GC drained the talent pool

 

[Inferno]

I'd rather they trial something like this in the NAB Cup rather than things like the rubbish 9 pointers which will never see the light of day in the regular comp.

I think it would work better than zones or 15 minute quarters at least.

 

[CrazyJoeFevola]

16 a side, Phil Cleary likes this.

 

[Schauermann]

19 on the field for Hawthorn.
16 for the rest of the league.

You forgot Cola, 21 for the Sydney teams (accommodation und meals are cheaper for bigger groups).

 

[footyfan1978]

Grew up watching footy. There was 18 a side and 2 on bench.
Already seen 16 a side in the VFA and never bothered me in slightest.
What I hate is 4 players on bench and being played like 22 a side and keep most fresh 18 on field at any point.
It has been worst change to our game in all the time I have watched. It has gone backwards in terms of watching due to rotation system of 22 v 22.
I want it back to a more pure 18 on 18.
Changing to 16 a side is just another knee jerk idea based on over congestion of field due to the rotation system brought into the game when we used 22 each. Just get rid of 2 of the bench players, not 2 on field and it will improve as a game to watch in no time.

We should get rid of the 50 metre penalty too. 30 metres is more suitable.
Going from 15 metres to 50 metres was overdoing the penalty. Too many charitable goals from technical 50 metre penalties happen.
Get rid of 22 on each side and get rid of 50 metre penalty so mistakes of past acknowledged and removed.

 

[Randomizor]

Someone should bite the bullet and assassinate him.

In which case it would be him biting a bullet...

 

[PP34]

Rubbish idea. The standard of footy has probably slipped in the past 5-10 years, and we've got some pretty ordinary looking seasons and finals series as a result, but congestion isn't the problem.

You're not going to remove congestion regardless unless you take away even more players. Teams are incredibly well drilled these days in covering space, hence why we see so many stoppages. It's also a factor in the death of the key forward.

Just another stupid idea from an AFL that absolutely loves a knee jerk reaction and wanting to change things despite absolutely no fans wanting it.

The days of the free flowing shootouts are pretty much gone. You've got tons of coaches analysing the way their team and the opposition set up, then you've got players who play a completely different style of footy to days gone by, so it isn't coming back. It just can't in the current environment. Same with the big key forward who you rely upon to win you a flag. They were made irrelevant as soon as teams started covering the space more, forcing teams to play a far more team orientated brand of football to move the ball around the ground.

 

[Frank Gallagher]

Mark Evans is an absolute joke

I'm lost, what Mark did Evans take?

 

[Frank Gallagher]

6 a side with automatic weapons in play, top 2 sides get 4 proximity mines each

 

[sprockets]

Probably been mentioned already but 16 a side would save AFL clubs 36 pay packets. 36 x $300,000 = $10.8mil. Then we go to 15 minute quarters so they work less for the same money... The AFL are just a sporting version of a packet of potato chips.

 

[Nutsngum]

You know, if you actually wanted to remove "congestion" then you simply put a 5 meter zone around each ball up.. you know like they did in the centre all those years ago. Bam, no more congestion and probably a 5th repeat ball ups.

Thank you, ill take my cut of AFL earnings through bank deposit please.

 

[TBoyleSuperstar]

Strange they are suggesting this after what has been one of the better season of recent times in terms of games, closeness of the season etc.

Maybe this is what happens when you have a bye at the end of the home and away season. People start over-thinking things

 

[pazza]

I remember how 16 a side worked.

Basically it pulled the wings off the ground and the theory behind it is that creates more direct play and allows the centre half forwards to lead more freely into the space created.

And it did deliver attacking footy. The scoring in VFA footy in the 1980s used to see huge scores being kicked.

 

[pazza]

Why cant we play on a rectangular field?

The AFL are looking into that too.

It's to be called AFLX..played on a soccer field, using AFL standard goals and 7 a side. They hope to take it around the World as AFL T20 style of game. Might even actually work in taking the game overseas, given the prevalence of rectangular sporting fields world wide.

 

[Roozee]

 

[Enviable Tradition]

Less congestion means more space for KPP to operate in. I reckon it would help them if anything. I mean, the last decade hasn't exactly been a golden era for key forwards.
Not saying I'm in favour of changing, but am curious to see a trial or two.

Unless they still push the numbers up to the ball and we are left with even more empty forward lines and even more slow chippy chippy play to try and work the ball forward

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

 

[Cookie]

I remember how 16 a side worked.

Basically it pulled the wings off the ground and the theory behind it is that creates more direct play and allows the centre half forwards to lead more freely into the space created.

And it did deliver attacking footy. The scoring in VFA footy in the 1980s used to see huge scores being kicked.

Yep, that's how it should work. It would also see the return of the 100 goal kicker and the power forward.

Make it a 6 player bench and limit rotations and the game would become a great spectacle.

This forum is full of doomsayers who most probably have never seen a 16 a field game which makes their comments baseless, ignorant, misguided, ill-informed, and basically stupid. However, they would be better advised putting their efforts into slamming AFL X.

 

[dave123]

If you were designing the game from scratch today you'd probably go 15-16

I personally agree ....it's basic sports logic ...less players in a certain area means less congestion

It won't ever get changed ...but they will try it a nab cup game for sure....nothing to lose

 

[pazza]

Yep, that's how it should work. It would also see the return of the 100 goal kicker and the power forward.

Make it a 6 player bench and limit rotations and the game would become a great spectacle.

This forum is full of doomsayers who most probably have never seen a 16 a field game which makes their comments baseless, ignorant, misguided, ill-informed, and basically stupid. However, they would be better advised putting their efforts into slamming AFL X.

It's like a generation of footy fans have no idea at times.

 

[The Cryptkeeper]

LEAVE THE F***ING GAME ALONE.

 

[dave123]

LEAVE THE F***ING GAME ALONE.

I tend to agree

However ....I have no issues with trying something

It won't get changed so don't worry

 

[Father Jack]

LEAVE THE F***ING GAME ALONE.

That's never happened in 150+ years of Australian football, what makes you think it would be a good idea to start now?

 

[underthestars]

actually think it's worth trialling.
Less congestion, trim the fat from teams, and more one on one duels - as long as they keep the limit on rotations.
footy players are much, much fitter and cover much more ground than when the 18 rule came in. can't make the grounds bigger, so make the teams smaller.

 

[catters05]

Players Association wont cop 36 less players getting paid every week. 22 per game is a lock.

Nothing is a lock in the AFL............absolutely nothing.