The AFLW Memo...
- Thread starter Hysteria25
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Ultimately the AFLW competition needs to become higher scoring before it can become a self-sustainable competition. Low-scoring and congested contests undermine the long-term success of the competition and the ability of the players and coaches to make a living in the AFLW.
Keeping the game congested may be a recipe for success in the current AFLW but if that short-term success comes at the expense of building a vibrant and self-sustainable competition then what is the point?
Eventually the skills of the players will develop to a point where they can deal successfully with game plans designed to create congestion. But that isn't the case yet and until that changes policies that create a more free-flowing game should be considered. People want the AFLW competition to thrive but that won't happen unless the league is willing to create an entertaining product. Achieving that may very well require the league to push rules that don't exist in the men's league.
Keeping the game congested may be a recipe for success in the current AFLW but if that short-term success comes at the expense of building a vibrant and self-sustainable competition then what is the point?
Eventually the skills of the players will develop to a point where they can deal successfully with game plans designed to create congestion. But that isn't the case yet and until that changes policies that create a more free-flowing game should be considered. People want the AFLW competition to thrive but that won't happen unless the league is willing to create an entertaining product. Achieving that may very well require the league to push rules that don't exist in the men's league.
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Geepers! I wonder who leaked it?
Tactics won’t matter if the skill level is crap it will turn into a u13 game regardless
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Embarrassment bro.
telsor
Hall of Famer
Skills are better than u13, but the tactics and fitness far outstrip them, and because it's easier to teach players to defend/contest, the game will inevitably go that way.
Add to that that the primary means of defeating these tactics just don't work in the women's game (at least, not yet) and you're left with 2 options...accept the defensive scrum, or try and change the tactics.
Looks like the AFL are trying to do the latter...gently for now, but if 'guidance' doesn't work, expect rules changes to get the job done.
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It seems like these rules have been put into place already judging by the wording of the memo - the umpire won’t start play until teams are in the 5-6-5 formation.
Teen Wolf
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I think that is all true, and I don't have a problem with the content of the memo per se. But we've seen it time again that when the AFL tries to solve one problem, they create a new one. Who knows what effect opening up the game will have on injuries, for example. Are they going to send a memo each week telling clubs how to play differently after a new (and possibly manufactured) issue surfaces? Doesn't really seem fair on them.
Wouldn’t surprise if the AFL ensured that this was leaked.
It being leaked creates a lot of headlines and keep AFLW in the public eye, especially in the context that the problems with last week’s matches will be resolved.
It being leaked creates a lot of headlines and keep AFLW in the public eye, especially in the context that the problems with last week’s matches will be resolved.
Warsaw Winder
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Absoloutely disgraceful interference from head office. Under McLaughlin's leadership, the Executive branch of AFL power has taken over the game. Mclaughlin and Hocking have just introduced zones into the game without any direction from the laws of the game committee! They've consolidated the judiciary into one executive appointed member for God's sake!! AFL.COM even reported that Michael Christian will have to report directly to Steven Hocking, and on SEN Christian himself acknowledged Hocking will be ticking off suspension decisions!! I know I sound like a looney tune, but the constant executive interference in areas of the game where devolved powers are supposed to have pre emminent influence is so frustrating! Why even bother with the pretence of an independent judiciary? We saw it last year with the "gut punch interpretation" being changed halfway through the season, which was hugely unfair on some players. Why bother pretending to treat the women's competetion as important if head office is just going to interfere and break its own standard practice!?!
Why are they trying to turn the game into netball? If teams want to flood the backline why shouldn't they be able to? Ch.7 ratings were down primarily due to a clash with the BBL Semi Final, not Carlton's defensive tactics.
The sad thing is clubs/coaches will be too afraid to speak out against it. Imagine the reaction from the likes of Clarko, Chris Scott or Ross Lyon if a similar directive was issued after Round 1 of the men's comp?
Corrupt via allowing this competition to be associated with it.
Don’t blame the AFL for stepping in. They are the ones who are heavily invested in bankrolling and promoting the women’s league. See how anyone else would go trying to fulfill the same role. If every team adopted the same tactics adopted by Carlton then every match would be the same sh.t spectacle that Carlton and Collingwood put on. AFLW needs everything going for it, particularly in its infancy.
Punters, sponsors and television network will soon vote with their feet if this sort of crap continues to be dished up, and more particularly once they start charging to go watch games. Skills standards are not yet anywhere near good enough to deal with, and overcome systematic negative tactics.
Punters, sponsors and television network will soon vote with their feet if this sort of crap continues to be dished up, and more particularly once they start charging to go watch games. Skills standards are not yet anywhere near good enough to deal with, and overcome systematic negative tactics.
Warsaw Winder
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To be honest I really think it's incumbent on the Presidents of the clubs to tell the AFL to go stick it. Eddie loves telling the big house to shove off, don't see why this should be any different. Collingwood's Womens team and Mo Hope are copping enough criticism for the way their poor form, time for Eddie to stand up for Collingwood and thier supporters as he usually does!
Warsaw Winder
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I agree with your sentiment, but the time to adress these issues was last year, and through the proper channels. Legislate the changes through consultation with the players, coaches and most importantly, the laws of the game committee, just as in the mens' game. Changes on the run will ultimately do more harm than good.
Cleavy
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at some point, they will want to charge a fee for ground admission. They need a better product to warrant this.
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As if the AFL and AFLW wasn't already a joke. They change the rules to make it more appealing to TV audiences.
This is whats wrong with the game...The memo sums it up. Footy is only exciting when goals are scored..., I would rather watch a hard, contested game of football (male or female)
Well said. This seemed the issue with the previous COO as well. I remember hearing when he was keen on more goals and one of the ways he'd achieve this was through directing the umpires to pay more free kicks to forwards FFS!
I've got no problems with rule changes through a proper process post season. For instance I don't mind the idea of a 15m protection zone on face value....but how is it to be umpired? What of the three months of stoppage drills the players have been doing?
And a "general intent"? How about set the rules and let the teams do what's best within those rules?
Every bit as likely it was one of the clubs I would have thought trying to undermine the intervention
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This saga has just proven women footballers aren’t equal with men in terms of skills and fitness. It’s not an elite competition. You get what you pay for, and these games have free admission.
I don't think anyone has ever claimed they are equal, apart from some nutbar feminist groups perhaps.
