Reduce players on field from 18 to 16.

[DannyJames13]

Only 16 men on the field? More territory to cover, athletes become more valuable than footballers.

I've thought about this a few times and wondered what it would be like. The quote above puts a new spin on it for me.

Would hate to see the game turn into a kick to space and chase all day affair. Also would hate to see the slower crafty play makers out of the game.

 

[lids2004roar]

Stupid idea. No need to change it.

Less players on the field will only lead to players running more.

Less players will force coaches to stop flooding as it will tire out the players quicker.

A team will still be able to push players back and flood. It won't solve anything.

If they did that, the team would be completely stuffed before half time.


16 players means it is far too difficult to do the running involved in a full-team flood. We would see a more open, running game where individual stars will find it easier to shine.

Picture Richo in a 4 man forward line with no flood.

Picture Gary Ablett Jr running an extra 10 metres when he bursts out of the centre allowing him to goal from 40m more often.

Picture someone chasing down a running midfielder after chasing him for 50m because there was nobody to handball to.


Also imagine being able to finally say "Tivendale and Hyde, you are no longer in our best team!" - there will be less turnover kings diluting the talent on the field = higher standard of free-flowing football with less flooding.

 

[RUNVS]

Would hate to see the game turn into a kick to space and chase all day affair. Also would hate to see the slower crafty play makers out of the game.

I agree 100%. It would be horrible to see the day where players like Brett Kirk are no longer required.

 

[DanA]

It won't stop flooding at all. Teams will increase endurance at the expense of strength. It will reduce the number of KP players as you they can't cover the same ground. The game will be faster but the will be far less stoppages and and contested situations.

 

[Athomas]

Keep it at 18, it's fine.

Less DT players otherwise

 

[Adelaide Hawk]

Barassi agrees with me.

I'd be very worried if I started agreeing with Barassi. He's lost the plot.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

Easy way to keep the talent level up when the new teams come in.

I liked the VFL/VFA when it was 16 a side

Yeah but did you like it because it was 16 a side, or did you like it because it was the only football shown on TV on a Sunday?

 

[BLPC08]

I like the idea, and maybe extend the interchange bench to 8 players to keep teams more fresh and make the game an even better spectacle. It would be just like Ice hockey with the rotations, a top idea from Barrassi!

 

[bedford]

as someone who played in the old VFA it was a sensational game to play,it would certainly open up the game.
i agree with a lot of posters that we don't want any more changes,but this would be good.