Quarter lengths in AFL games will revert back to 20 minutes plus time on in 2021, a significant difference from this year’s 16 minutes plus time on.
The AFL commission announced games will revert back to normal quarter lengths next season, but the fixture will still have a ‘floating’ element to it in 2021.
The COVID-19 pandemic that forced a fixture squeeze this year resulted in the league reducing quarter lengths to 16 minutes plus time.
But quarters will revert back to the normal 20 minutes plus time on in 2021.
The move won’t appease everyone, with Geelong star Patrick Dangerfield among a host of players who earlier this year expressed their concerns about returning to full quarter lengths next season.
Dangerfield said with the uncertainty of COVID-19 still being felt, 17 minutes plus time on would have been the “sweet spot” for quarter lengths.
Other players voiced their support for 18 minutes plus time on.
Teams will receive six-minute breaks for quarter-time and three-quarter time, while halftime will be 20 minutes.
There will be a break of 50 seconds after each goal.
The AFL will release fixtures for round one through to round six by December 23, with the schedule to comprise of match-ups, timeslots, venues, and broadcasters.
But there will be a floating element to the fixture from that point on.
The AFL aims to release the match-ups and venues for most games between rounds seven to 23, but the date, timeslots, and broadcasting will remain floating.
The AFL will work with clubs, venues, and broadcasters to work out the best schedule.
The league has told clubs that it plans to release the fixtures from round seven onwards in blocks of four-to-six weeks, with at least four weeks’ notice to allow for planning.
Three tweaks to the AFL match review and tribunal guidelines were also approved to help further protect players from head-high contact.
AFL Match Review changes
* The definition of ‘high’ contact expanded to cover if there is a careless or intentional dangerous tackle which has the potential for injury to be caused through dangerous high contact with the ground, but where high contact does not actually occur
* The guideline in relation to upgrading impact based on the potential to cause injury expanded to capture all intentional strikes (not limited to head-high strikes only)
* The ‘contesting the ball’ exception in relation to high bumps and forceful front-on contact tightened by changing the requirement that “the player was contesting the ball and did not have a realistic alternative way to contest the ball” to “the player was contesting the ball and it was reasonable for the player to contest the ball in that way”
Bandicoot
Roar Rookie
A simple way for quarters to reduce in time would be for the umpire to immediately throw the ball up rather than waiting for the rucks to get into position. Same with boundary throw ins. It's not rocket science. One player from each team can participate in the rucking contest - any one player. If two players from a team participates it's a free kick.
Bandicoot
Roar Rookie
I don't agree with zero interchange but I would like to see it reduced dramatically to somewhere around 40.
Bandicoot
Roar Rookie
Dangerfield would only be happy with 15 minute quarters, 100 interchanges and 17 games in a season.
pablocruz
Roar Rookie
That's a discussion for another time, not at all relevant here.
2dogz
Roar Rookie
“Save our skins” Richmond are lucky to still be in the league. Generosity from other clubs and supporters saved your Skin. Way to be humble :thumbup:
Lukey Miller
Guest
18 minute quarters might just have been about right, with a corresponding reduction of interchanges to 40 per game. I think that the game is too long with all the time stoppages that have been added over the years. Quarters often go way past 30 minutes. Compare that to rugby, basketball and soccer. GAA have just two 35 minute halves for instance.
pablocruz
Roar Rookie
Happy to hand it out to the supporters and residents of the Corio Retirement Village. Their 'happy to be up there' attitude smacks of desperation, a need to feel relevant and to be viewed as one of the big Vic clubs. Well they're not! Even when they were relevant, winning flags, they weren't! Their recruiting methodology may well keep them 'up there' for 2 or 3 more years but they'll be found wanting come finals . . . again. These really are tragic times for Cats' supporters despite their lame protestations. Cameron is not a proven finals player, while the two old fellas they recruited are well past their prime and will serve only to deny young fellas a game. Yep. Happy not to be a Cats' supporter!
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Nice to see some early prodding Pablo. Tigers have likely denied Geelong the last two premierships so I expect some fire in here between Tigers and Cat fans in 2021. Doggies and Port probably rounding out the top 4 at this stage.
djdart
Roar Rookie
Excellent news and let’s hope Mr. Twilight keeps the Grandy in the afternoon where it belongs !!
J.T. Delacroix
Guest
Totally agree with you about the 50m penalty. Jumping from the old 15m to a 50m penalty was simply too much. 25m would’ve been fairer. Don’t get me started on the ‘deliberate’ out of bounds crackdown & it’s over-use.
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
Haha, no way.
WCE
Roar Rookie
Im cool with the 20 mins it's sensible. Now get rid of the dumb 50 m penalty . A toenail over the marking space is a 50 m penalty it's irrational and stupid
Mark
Roar Rookie
A bit like "No Lachie, No Brisbane" Lions, hey Paul??
Mark
Roar Rookie
Loot :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Pelican
Roar Rookie
Are you a politician?
2dogz
Roar Rookie
They played above their potential
pablocruz
Roar Rookie
Yep. Too old and too slow. Their elderly recruits won't help either. Cats just treading water.
Mark
Roar Rookie
Sorry, I should have added that they obviously overcame the 16 minute quarter issue and developed a revised game plan to deal with it and therefore play to their potential so I don't think the Tigers will be any better or harder to beat next year playing the 20 minute format.
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
Ads Richie. They can now play 2 between goals. It's always about revenue for the AFL. By extension, it's always about Gil's pay packet.
AD
Guest
Now I just hope that, if we don't have any more major COVID outbreaks between now and then, we can go back to full capacity stadiums everywhere, too.