The shorter quarters changed the game in Round 1, when players had greater energy to play the duration of games at a higher-skilled and higher-paced standard.
The scoring went up and it certainly brought into question whether shorter quarters were in the game for the long term.
Before the season, the unique circumstances of the pandemic forced the AFL to shorten quarters from 20 minutes with time on to 16 minutes with time on. This change was mainly driven by the worry of a shortened time frame and not being able to fit in an AFL season.
So far the change has worked, with the AFL successfully pulling together a new-look fixture to complete the season. With a sample size of Round 1 to see how the shorter quarters went, it has certainly sparked some debate as to whether it is good or not.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
A large number of people have the opinion that the game should be left alone, which is certainly fair and should always be kept in mind when approaching these rule changes.
However, as has been mentioned frequently in these football-less time, the pandemic has given the AFL the opportunity to revamp itself and try things for the better.
Shorters quarters is one of those changes that has been forcibly brought into the game due to the circumstances of COVID-19.
As I reflect on the differences between Round 1 this year and the 2019 season, I see the majority of the wider Australian Rules world liking the shorter quarters over the longer 20-minute quarters.
Why is this?
Firstly, as a religious follower of the game, to have patches in matches where I lose concentration and get distracted says a lot. I’m not just speaking for myself here; I think I’m speaking for a large part of Aussie Rules society.
What makes these patches happen is boredom. Players fatigue, resulting in teams being defensively focused so they don’t make an error and concede a goal. Often this will happen in the last four minutes of quarters. It can pretty much be described as ‘dead footy’. Teams just waiting for the siren to go.
What shorter quarters will do is take out this fatigue and allow players to showcase their skills to a higher standard, resulting in faster ball movement and more attacking footy, ultimately bringing higher scoring.
Secondly, while scoring increases, the shorter quarters will reduce the number of dead rubbers, where the scoreboard would suggest a team has already won by half-time. Shorter games will likely lengthen out matches to the very end, with both teams a chance of winning. As fans, we love these close encounters.
Lastly, you have the potential of increasing the number of games in the season, meaning more blockbuster games, more Thursday or Monday night matches and potentially an increase in attendance and revenue with more games for fans to attend.
Ultimately Aussie Rules is a better product with shorter quarters. Faster, higher skilled and more entertaining footy.
sven
Roar Rookie
its true we are all just expressing opinions, i like the fact that a teams stamina n mental toughness to run out a game often is a big factor on determining who wins, it can also be extremely exciting to see a team get a run on & chase down an opponent that has established a lead
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
Nothing prevents this, the difference is the result has not been in the balance for far less a time & you have to draw a line somewhere. The longer you play, the increased chance. There is no perfect formula / science to this scenario Max has posted. In a general sense I am open to the quarters being a little shorter. Is the AFL going to implement it on my opinion? No chance at all, but it's just my opinion.
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
BT1, if you are trying to align my opinion to "its the same as playing two five minutes halves" you couldn't be further from the truth. There is vast difference & try not to use silly extremes to justify your opinions. Your posted comments don't gain any credibility from your fellow readers by doing so.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I invoke Harry S Truman. —— He is afterall the overseer. And as such I’d be leaning on Hocking to do something about it. Elsewise why are they paid the big bucks?
sven
Roar Rookie
"nothing more frustrating than seeing players getting injured 5 mins before full time when the result has been a forgone conclusion"...............whats to prevent this from happening at the 11 minute mark of the last quarter?
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
Might as well scrap the first three quarters and play two 5 minute halves. Will totally minimise blowouts…….I won’t watch it but hey it’s nice and bite sized, easy to watch and you can fit it in between dinner and dessert.
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
You better blow up the internet then. Better parenting not shorter quarters will fix your problem.
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
This will do nothing to reduce blowouts, all that will happen is that the definition of blowout will change. It will however stop late comebacks thus increasing blowouts Sport = blowouts sometimes, they can't all be nail buyers, I watch T20 games and they're over in the first over of the second innings, it can't be helped
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
I agree Max, I am a fan of the 16 min quarter. When is the last time anytime attended a game purely for the fact that about 5 players have kicked 1000 goals in the history of the sport? This N/A to week in week out spectator enjoyment. I attend the game to watch elite sport & great games. Whilst the 4 x 16 min qtrs are not going to stop blowouts, it certainly is going to minimise them. Besides when my own team has blown the opposition away, it’s not a great sight seeing supporters packing up & leaving at 3/4 time. I normally change the channel on TV when I see this & the sponsors lose me from viewing further advertisements. Also, there is nothing more frustrating than seeing players getting injured 5 mins before full time when the result has been a forgone conclusion 30 mins prior to this.
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
Foxsports & free to air have very minimal advertisements in real time. Thus this will have no influence on advertisement or media package deals.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Maybe it's a defensive role?
George Apps
Roar Rookie
I think you mean "roll"?
George Apps
Roar Rookie
Yes, product is an ugly word! I think in my dotage (71 yo Collingwood fan) that the overall quality of football has improved in nearly all facets of the game, except kicking for goal. I do miss the longer quarters, but will reserve judgement on that point to see how the season pans out. The internet has made an impact on viewing habits in that it caters to instant gratification and the young in general seem to have very short attention spans, not like my generation who are more content to be patient.
George Apps
Roar Rookie
I agree with Wass, it's all about revenue, it always has been with the AFL. Money put ahead of the game, football comes a poor second!
George Apps
Roar Rookie
Might as well play Gridiron! 2 minutes of game time and then 9 minutes of ads!
Ditto
Guest
Could not have said it better myself Trevor. If people want to keep chopping up the game so much why not just flush the sport completely and go off and play basketball or something else and be done with it!?
sven
Roar Rookie
i thought the game, in terms of attendance at the top level, tv audience, club membership & revenue was as healthy as its ever been (this year cant be considered normal). clearly the flogs calling for constant change arent on the same page as the fans. i realize at grass roots level theres problems, but a lot of that is due to changing society & the fact there are a plethora of choices for young people now compared to previous generations
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Thats not a "management" issue, Rowdy. If Gill did that, it would be micro-management and we can do without that. Thankfully, Gill doesn't seek to over reach his brief. Steve Hocking...and those who umpire existing rules...should be your target.
BigAl
Roar Rookie
Mate, I love Aussie rules and have for over 50 years. What I want is for it remain an attractive and popular option for generations to come. It's amazing just how the tastes of younger people are changing - and fair play to that ! e.g my 35 year old son and ALL of his circle of friends care NOTHING about cricket and barely anything about Bradman. Most of them are physically fit, some fitness junkies but their interest in professional sports seems to start and end with the NBA !
Eddie from Elwood
Roar Rookie
Two in the last four come to mind.