The negativity about the ‘state of the game’ has become a self-fulfilling prophecy. The drastic rule changes on the AFL horizon feel like they’ve been talked into existence, and are at glaring odds with the wonderful spectacle we’ve seen over the last month of football.
The finals series has been nothing short of exceptional, coupled with crowds exceeding 90,000 three times in succession for the first time in history. Led by Steve Hocking, the AFL has nonetheless pushed on with its rule-changing agenda.
Despite vehement opposition towards such drastic tinkering from fans, players and coaches alike, starting positions and an extended 18m goal square are an apparent fait accompli for the 2019 AFL season.
The constant media murmur about congestion and tactics has come to a head, and it’s hard not be concerned. It’s almost as if there is a blueprint on how a game ‘should’ play out. Both teams score 100+ points at frenetic pace. A great spectacle. Big ratings. Lots of ad breaks.
More goals equates to more enjoyment appears to be the formula. But, fans are mature enough to enjoy a dour defensive contest just as much as a shootout, and they are bristling at the AFL’s dismissal of their thoughts and the apparent changes being forced upon them.
Hocking and the AFL will bring a raft of changes to the commission this offseason. Barring something unforeseen, expect these to be passed unchallenged.
Do we really want more rule changes? (AAP Image/Tracey Nearmy)
There are plenty questioning the point of a ‘novelty-sized’ goal square, protruding towards the 50m arc. Aesthetics are important, and this resembles nothing like the game that is over 150 years old. Zones will simply role back, coaches and players will adapt. Is it even a goal square? A goal rectangle is more accurate.
If there is so much concern with the current state of the game, then surely the AFL must consider the impact of recently introducing two new teams to the competition. It was always going to impact the quality of the product with a diluted talent pool and weakened foundation clubs that were pushed back in the draft to accommodate the newcomers.
Hocking has declared that every club should be a premiership contender – a laughable notion for a professional support. There are always weaker teams, and the wheel always turns. Part of the joy of all sports is watching a struggling team turn it around. Right on cue, Melbourne supporters are in a frenzy.
It’s hard not to scoff at justifying these rule changes as an attempt to even up the competition, while Tom Lynch walks from the Gold Coast Suns to the reigning premiers. Free-agency is becoming a concern, if not a farce.
There are far simpler, and more important, areas the AFL could look at addressing before introducing such radical change. The fundamentals remain as crucial as ever, and perhaps they’re worth revisiting.
Holding the ball, and the proper interpretation of it, has a huge impact on congestion and the flow of a game. Yet, it remains the most poorly officiated rule.
Umpires are still part time, and very inconsistent. Ticketek continues to let fans down. The deliberate out of bounds doesn’t add theatre, it’s an annoying lottery. And if the ‘protected zone’ costs someone a premiership, AFL house will burn to the ground.
The 6-6-6 starting positions rule is more palatable, but even still there are questions. Melbourne has routinely sent players off the back of the square during centre bounces. It didn’t always work, but it was attacking move that was at times thrilling. Do we really want to limit a coach’s ability to manoeuvre his players?
The AFL will, and should, be nervous about introducing new rules. It’s hard to trust the judgement that brought in the embarrassing sub rule or the now very questionable ‘sliding below the knees’ interpretation. Unintended consequences are just that, and one feels there are a few starting to reveal themselves.
The ‘sliding rule’ will be in the spotlight following the strange interpretation during the Melbourne Hawthorn semi-final on Friday night. Melbourne’s Angus Brayshaw was almost knocked out going for the ball but was penalized for his head hitting a knee.
Jordan Lewis attacked the ball with the vigour you expect in a final but had to hand the ball to his opponent for a shot on goal after again colliding with the lower leg.
Players and coaches are clever, and they’ve figured out a way to exploit the sliding rule that is looking like another short-sighted addition to the game. It would be no surprise to see it end up on the scrap heap at season’s end.
With so many rules, and so many of them difficult to interpret, the game is becoming bloated with the risk of becoming a tentative mess. The new rules being proposed appear less about improving the game, but about steering it in a direction we didn’t ask to go in.
The game has shown it has a funny way of adapting, given the time to do so. To address concerns about congestion so quickly, and seemingly in isolation, feels dramatic. One must ask, how did we get this point? The state of the game conversation has been poking holes in the competition for a long time, and the AFL is now filling them.
What’s next? A literal shifting of the goal posts perhaps.
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