AFL plans holding the ball changes, but nothing else
By Roger Vaughan, 16 Dec 2009 Roger Vaughan is a Roar Pro
- Tagged:
- Adrian Anderson, AFL
The AFL will crack down on players who try to exploit one feature of the holding the ball rule, but no major law changes will happen next season.
The league will instead continue to monitor the increasing number of interchanges during games, concerned that these are helping defensive tactics.
AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson said on Tuesday that the strong message from clubs was that no rule changes were necessary and that the game was in “great shape”.
But he said clubs wanted umpires to clamp down on players who “soak up” a tackle, where they have had no prior opportunity to dispose of the ball.
If the player has a chance to dispose of the ball and does not make an attempt, the league wants a holding the ball free paid.
“What became clear in our consultation with clubs was that on a number of occasions, players are soaking up or absorbing the tackle, forcing a stoppage,” he said.
“We’re keen to make sure that they (umpires) are really clear, consistent and firm in their interpretation on this type of holding the ball.
“Players must make an attempt (to dispose of the ball).”
It is part of an AFL emphasis on wanting more clarity in rules that allow the team who have possession to move the ball more quickly.
This also includes 50m penalties for encroaching on the mark, not giving up the ball quickly enough to an opponent at a mark or free kick, and holding of opponents at stoppages.
Anderson said the league was pleased with the impact of this season’s rule changes, which covered deliberate rushed behinds, frees after disposal and the use of four boundary umpires.
There is ongoing debate about the increasing use of the interchange bench, but Anderson said there were no plans at this stage to put a cap on the number allowed during a match.
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Savvas Tzionis said | December 16th 2009 @ 9:02am | Report comment
Adrian Anderson is the best thing to have happened to AFL in the last 15 years.
After over a decade of turgid football, his rule changes have finally delivered a spectale to nearly match what we used to get in the Good Old Days.
WA said | December 16th 2009 @ 1:32pm | Report comment
Please don’t ever post again ST.
Redb said | December 16th 2009 @ 4:17pm | Report comment
I agree Savvas.
The game is getting faster and faster – the emphasis is 90% right. (hands in the back poorly handled)
The rushed behind rule is another that has achieved its aims admirably.
Lazza said | December 16th 2009 @ 1:44pm | Report comment
Where are all the AFL fans? How about getting rid of the shocking ‘simulation’ that plagues the game. As you all know, putting the ball out deliberately results in a free kick to the opposition unless you can ‘disguise’ it properly. Just like any good South American Soccer player this form of cheating is regarded as ‘smart play’ in AFL circles.
What you are doing, of course, is trying to con the umpire and cheating. It also gives players a soft option when they’re under pressure so why not just give a free kick if anyone puts the ball out of play?
Republican said | December 16th 2009 @ 3:27pm | Report comment
I believe less is best as far as the interchange goes.
Slow the game down a wee bit by having fewer options off the bench and we might just see some good old fashioned high marking rekindled amongst others.
Agree with you Lazza as well re simulation. What about the Union esque type kicking around the boudary for territory which is a scourge on the game and it’s true, the dying swan exponents seem to be on the increase in our code as well, sadly.
Cheers