For 2019 the AFL introduced new rules for football to remove congestion and prompt higher scoring. We have now had four rounds of football and the impact of those rules can now be seen.
The following table compares AFL scores for the first four rounds from 2012-2018.
Year Points scored rounds 1-4
2013 - 7127
2017 - 6818
2016 - 6679
2012 - 6635
2018 - 6325
2014- 6239
2015 - 6227
Av. - 6484
2019 - 5824
What the evidence shows is that scoring is down from 2018 during the same period by 501 points or 27.8 points per team. Over the period 2012-2018 the scoring is down on the average by 36.7 points or over 6 goals per team for the same period
But that not the end of it. Commentators may say how exciting the close games and upsets have been, but the truth is that most games have been dominated by scrappy, short-passing football, turnovers, inconsistent, confusing umpiring and lots of injuries.
What was Steven Hocking, Gillon McLachlan and the AFL Board thinking when they decided to tamper with the rules? I can understand rule changes to protect players from head injuries, but changes which create an artificial footballing environment or favour one style of play over another have only served to downgrade the offensive and defensive team skills of our game.
The following table compares AFL scores for the first four rounds from 2012-2018.
Year Points scored rounds 1-4
2013 - 7127
2017 - 6818
2016 - 6679
2012 - 6635
2018 - 6325
2014- 6239
2015 - 6227
Av. - 6484
2019 - 5824
What the evidence shows is that scoring is down from 2018 during the same period by 501 points or 27.8 points per team. Over the period 2012-2018 the scoring is down on the average by 36.7 points or over 6 goals per team for the same period
But that not the end of it. Commentators may say how exciting the close games and upsets have been, but the truth is that most games have been dominated by scrappy, short-passing football, turnovers, inconsistent, confusing umpiring and lots of injuries.
What was Steven Hocking, Gillon McLachlan and the AFL Board thinking when they decided to tamper with the rules? I can understand rule changes to protect players from head injuries, but changes which create an artificial footballing environment or favour one style of play over another have only served to downgrade the offensive and defensive team skills of our game.
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