AFL introduces substitues for 2011

[mark121]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/103656/default.aspx

These new rules will force teams to reconsider using 2 full time ruckmen in a game and many teams will use a part timer for short periods.

These rule changes might also encourage teams to risk injured players even if they are unsure if they can play out the game simply because they can always be substituted and the same would apply to older players.

Teams will also be encouraged to recruit athletes like Barlow who have a far superior fitness base because there will be only 3 reserves.

I do have a question that hasn't been answered in this article, how many players on game day can a team choose the substitute from.


http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/103656/default.aspx

 

[willingnable]

Assuming these new rules stick, it very hard to see us maintaining 4 ruckmen at the club.

 

[CAS79]

Clubs used to use two ruckman before the event of the bench and with two on the bench it became more common. The rucks though were expected to rest a lot more on the ground and would often play second tall next the full forward and a tall back like LRT would take a lot of boundary throw in's down back.

We saw on grand final day the importance of an intense ruck that at least had a player designed to give him a break in Brown. I doubt that's going to disappear with the changes.

More of a thought though how should Sydney tackle the substitute option.

Should we use a utility to cover the possibility of an injury all over the field or should we use a player with X factor but not the largest tank, possibly a Sumner or (if he stays) Veszpremi playing as a super sub for the final quarter?

 

[J_Moore]

Should we use a utility to cover the possibility of an injury all over the field or should we use a player with X factor but not the largest tank, possibly a Sumner or (if he stays) Veszpremi playing as a super sub for the final quarter?

I'd be inclined to go with the utility option. Seems like possibly a pretty good job for Rohan next year. Could see him in the team each week in the sub role, at least at the beginning of the season.

I agree with you about the ruckman point.

Interesting to see what this means for Pyke. I imagine it sort of forces the clubs hand in how they develop his game. He can clearly take a mark, so will they look to train him up to play forward or back as his resting role?

Seems like it might be easier to put him forward. Requires less ability to read the play, and since set shots are such a routine-developed skill, seem easier to teach than intelligent, instinctive field kicking.

 

[barry fu]

The law makers certainly seem intent on reinventing the wheel with every passing off season.
It shall be intersting to see how it effects Collingwoods clever use of the bench when creating the free man for their kick-ins.