Runners Strategy

[Bernie]

Now that coaches are allowed TWO runners on the ground, have a look at the games this weekend when teams are kicking out.

Note the position of the opposition runners - if there are both on the field and where are they in terms of the zone defence.

There are many team runners now that are ex-players who know how all this works. The next step is for opposition runners to be manned up, either by players ( to put some physical pressure on them ) or by the other team's runners.

I think that a kick out should not occur until the flags have been waved AND all runners are off the ground.

Any ideas ?

 

[Bloodstained Angel]

Essendon have copped criticism for sending their runners out to 'fill holes' but in truth all clubs do it.

Its a blot on the game - should be stamped out.

I would like to see runners reduced back down to one only and the runner should only be allowed to run out, give the message, then run straight back to the bench, not via a vacant pocket or across a space the opposition is leading to.

 

[Danni]

One of the Lions runners has been pinged twice for "being on the ground too long", in effect, giving him the opportunity to "fill holes" while out there. I know he got fined on both occasions, but I am wondering, If a runner was cited for a 3rd time, what would happen? Would a team get an "in kind" supension (as in only allowed one runner for a period of time)?

 

[magpie greg]

Bernie, both runners are not allowed on the frouns at the same time. So both cant fill holes, only one runner at a time.

The Port Adelaide runner is notorious for being the worst offender at filling holes.

 

[Shinboners]

There was also that time in last year's preliminary final when our runner sheperded a Brisbane player out of a marking contest. We ended up getting a goal out of it. It was hilarious for us to see, but if it happened to North, I'd be very dirty.

Perhaps if a runner interferes with play, the umpire could award a shot at goal, 25 metres out from directly in front....that should stamp it out pretty damn quickly.

 

[RICE80SF]

If I was playing and a runner got in my way i'd have take great pleasure in knocking him into next week. Like the bowlers in cricket who stand in the way of the running batsmen, your fair game I reckon.

Didn't the Port runner last year have a bad rep. for "mistakenly" getting in the way? If I was the opposing coach I'd have someone line him up quick smart.



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BOMBER BLITZ IN 2000!

 

[Bloodstained Angel]

Shinboners a question ?

If a runner comes onto the field, delivers a message, then runs down to a vacant forward pocket and runs around in a circle just when the opposition is going forward, is he 'interfering' with play ?

The runner is certainly filling up space - space a forward could be leading into - but is it interference ?

Not likely to happen ? - I saw Merv Keane do just that for Essendon when they played the Swans....

 

[magpie greg]

Runners should only be allowed onto the ground for a certain period of time each quarter. If it is used up they cant go on again that quarter. If they want to waste their time by filling a gap so be it, but in the second half of the quarter they wont be able to get on the ground to deliver a message. The rule will still apply that they have to get off the fgroudn as quickly as possible, but if the dawdle for whatever reason, they know they will suffer the consequences later.

 

[Bernie]

Are we staggering towards a sort of Time Out ?

Coaches will take every advantage - remember why the 50m penalty started ? Mr. Sheedy deliberately giving away 15m penalties to waste time.

 

[Shinboners]

BSA

In your situation, I would call it interference. We'll use the Doggies and Melbourne as an example. Woewodin is running down the wing and looking for Farmer. The Bulldogs runner does what you say and "fills in the space". The thing for Woewodin and Farmer is that they have just a few seconds to decide how to deliver the ball and where to lead. Woewodin is looking for a clear space for a player in red and blue to lead into, he sees the pocket but just sees the runner, and thus looks for another option. Farmer, on the other hand, is looking for space and seeing the runner in that space, will look elsewhere. Therefore the runner is interfering with play. Of course, it would be great to see Woewodin passing into the pocket and Farmer taking the speccie over the runner.

But the problem is that the field umpires are watching the play, not the activities of the runners, so maybe the goal, boundary, and emergency umpires could warn the runners before recommending a penalty be awarded against the offending team.