Saving the Game

[Subprime]

Here's the comparison, rule changes since 1997;

Association football/Soccer = 0

AFL = 35

Cmon now, that's just wrong.

The problem is because our game is so insular, so controlled by one small and self interest (bring in $$$$ for the AFL) that they change the rules to suit themselves, not really to suit either the look or play of the game.

So soccer hasn't even introduced goal line technology.

I agree that is just wrong.

 

[mattys123]

So soccer hasn't even introduced goal line technology.

I agree that is just wrong.

NOT A RULE, it's an assistance for the umpires/officials.

If so it would be 36-1 as I left the AFL goal line technology out also.

The point still stands, we change our rules too much.

 

[Subprime]

NOT A RULE, it's an assistance for the umpires/officials.

If so it would be 36-1 as I left the AFL goal line technology out also.

The point still stands, we change our rules too much.

Well if you counted from the list I looked at its one of the 35, so 35 to 1 if soccer does have GLT, I sometimes flick over to the soccer but rarely for long enough to see a goal scored.

As I said before a majority of the rule changes listed were either mundane like changing the goal line placement or size of the centre square or safety related like protecting the head and centre bounce ruck rules to prevent knee injuries or related to speeding the game up like kick-ins allowed before flags get waved.

In fact most of the rule changes are eminently reasonable though I do dislike the low contact rule brought in after the Gary Rohan incident.

 

[welshm69]

"Play On" from any backward kicks outside the controlling teams forward 50.

That would completely bugger us. If it wasn't for wasting time and switching across half back we would have been killed the last 2 weeks.

 

[tesselate_]

I feel like the only one who loves the game as it is, congestion and all. I get rather annoyed when games are "free-flowing", that's just code for sloppy defense in my view. I find the game much more enjoyable when it's close, tight, and you've got to grind for every goal. Makes it much sweeter when you actually break the defense and get one, and so much more painful when you concede.

 

[Bring_Back_Brad]

I think the red card should be introduced for snipers who intentionally or recklessly cause an injury to another player.
this could be video verified by the third umpire to make sure people don't get carded off for accidents. I'm all for a bit of unsociable behaviour but if you harm someone deiberately you should be penalised during the game not just afterwards, particularly in finals. too much advantage can be gained in putting someone out of the game.

holding the ball should apply to any time you get caught in possession where you have received the ball from a teammate.
so if someone passes off to a teammate in a pressure situation and they are tackled immediately it should be holding, the team applying the pressure should be rewarded. but if you've gone and earned your own ball in a contested situation you shouldn't be penalised unless you've had prior opportunity and have held on to it too long.

high contact should only be awarded in circumstances where reckless or intentionally harsh contact has been made. So many stupid calls where someone ducks their head in to a tackle, or tall guys tackle someone shorter and their arms slip a bit, or a light harmless touch on the shoulder or neck happens, its very frustrating and so often not worthy of a free kick.

going up for a specie and kneeing someone in the back of the head or back is no better than a high bump. should be reported.
If I were playing the game and I wanted to injure someone, id be lining them up in a marking contest, getting a good run up and dropping my knee in the head or back. no consequences at the moment, and you could do some serious damage to someone.

should be a team of 22 and a sub. the sub only plays if you have an injury. Any injured player that gets subbed out can't play the following week so the rule isn't exploited for fresh legs.

if you kick a torpedo from 65m out and its a goal you get 9 points. must be a proper torp.

 

[Chilli Con Incarnate]

Since the Freo game I have been paying attention to how much holding the man there is in modern footy. So much scragging off the ball or tackling before someone has two hands on it. Tighten up on that and suddenly the game is less sloppy and congested.

 

[Bard]

Since the Freo game I have been paying attention to how much holding the man there is in modern footy. So much scragging off the ball or tackling before someone has two hands on it. Tighten up on that and suddenly the game is less sloppy and congested.

People will get pissy. It's like if they start calling 'throw' every time it happens, and not 15 etc. People get ridiculously aggro when there are lot of free kicks paid in a game although I find that those games that are 'over-umpired' are actually more 'fair' in regards to # of correct calls and # of not missed obvious frees. If we want to see these issues taken out of the game (like Cloke being molested in every contest, players being held onto constantly, throwing of the ball, deliberate out of bounds, rushed behinds, short kicks paid as marks, holding the man when trying to win a loose ball) there will need to be 60+ free kicks paid every game until players stop thinking they can get away with it which could take a season at least.

 

[cleomenes]

Holding the ball is the key problem. At present, umpiring is only strict on it when a player is on the ground and not in a position to do much. Most of these, where the ball was not dragged in, should be bounces. There should be far more frees for holding the ball where the tackled player does not dispose of the ball straight away, as the rule always intended, and for most of the games history, how it was interpreted.
These days, players are caught and turned, but are allowed to look around for an option or given time to break free. If they fail in the latter, they are rewarded with a ball up. This is not how the game was constructed.
Next season, the AFL should establish clearly with coaches that these free kicks will be paid according to the existing rules, not existing interpretations. They should wear the criticism as the free kick numbers balloon while the coaches and players adjust, and persevere until the free numbers fall when the adjustments have been made. The first few weeks of this season showed what can be achieved.
The other necessary change is the reduction of interchange to accommodate injuries only, and remove its use as a tactical tool. The AFL does not have the courage to do this.

 

[Chilli Con Incarnate]

People will get pissy. It's like if they start calling 'throw' every time it happens, and not 15 etc. People get ridiculously aggro when there are lot of free kicks paid in a game although I find that those games that are 'over-umpired' are actually more 'fair' in regards to # of correct calls and # of not missed obvious frees. If we want to see these issues taken out of the game (like Cloke being molested in every contest, players being held onto constantly, throwing of the ball, deliberate out of bounds, rushed behinds, short kicks paid as marks, holding the man when trying to win a loose ball) there will need to be 60+ free kicks paid every game until players stop thinking they can get away with it which could take a season at least.

There is an element of that yes, but it just comes down to good umpiring. Just pay it if they don't take proper possession i.e. with two hands. Still allow bumping, in fact it would make it a more viable option. If people drop it incorrect disposal. There would be far less stoppages, but as you say more frees. I think it would be fine. The games just looks scrappy these days. Even compared to just five to ten years ago.

 

[Bard]

There is an element of that yes, but it just comes down to good umpiring. Just pay it if they don't take proper possession i.e. with two hands. Still allow bumping, in fact it would make it a more viable option. If people drop it incorrect disposal. There would be far less stoppages, but as you say more frees. I think it would be fine. The games just looks scrappy these days. Even compared to just five to ten years ago.

I agree, I just think that if put into practice people with their status quo would be very vocal in their objection to the change.

 

[Black_White]

That would completely bugger us. If it wasn't for wasting time and switching across half back we would have been killed the last 2 weeks.

Maybe so.
But I'm a spectator and would enjoy more contests and more forward movement.
The coaching staff and the players would adjust.

 

[Bucksboys]

Ban the handball, force a kick and mark game

There.. I said it