LAWS OF THE GAME SUBMISSION SUMMARY 2012 PROPOSAL
AFL
AFL PLAYERS
UNCHANGED 3/1 – 3 ON BENCH 1 SUB
• Trends in first two seasons encouraging • Congestion still an issue • Pressure on doctors when team has two game ending injuries • Interchange rates will continue to increase
SUPPORTED • This is the players’ strong preference if the AFL is not prepared to revert to 4 interchange players and 1 substitute.
2/2 – 2 ON BENCH 2 SUB
• Rest time decrease of 5mins per players (17.1 to 12.0 mins) • Likely reduction in player speed and intensity • 2012 NAB Cup trial: stoppages down 19%, tackles down 10% and clearance rates up 4% compared with H&A • Game may open up earlier • Reduced adverse impact of 2 game ending injuries • Number of interchanges will still increase over time
NOT SUPPORTED • Players strongly oppose this rule change • Any move to limit players’ rest time during a game will increase fatigue, potentially resulting in more injuries rather than less • We understand there is no support for this proposal from the AFL Coaches Association, the AFL Sports Science Group, the AFL Medical Officers Association or AFL Physios
3/1 WITH A CAP OF 80 – 3 ON BENCH 1 SUB
• Increased work-rest NOT SUPPORTED period from 16.6/2.8 mins • Players strongly oppose to 24.0/4.0 mins this rule change (based on current avg • We understand there of 130 interchanges) is no support for this • Similar ratio of work-rest proposal from the AFL as current 3/1 system Coaches Association, • Likely reduction in player the AFL Sports Science speed & intensity Group, the AFL Medical Officers Association • Game may open up earlier or AFL Physios • Team which loses player to injury not disadvantaged due to limit on interchanges • Refer 2008 NAB Cup trial of 16 interchanges per quarter
DELIBERATE RUSHED BEHINDS
Make deliberate rushed NOT SUPPORTED behinds interpretation • Would put an unfair consistent with deliberate amount of pressure OOB (remove benefit of doubt on defenders to the defender) • Current rule strikes the right balance
REDUCE TIME ALLOWED FOR KICK-INS
Reduce time allowed for kick-ins to 5-6 seconds to be consistent with kicks around the ground
NOT SUPPORTED • Could have a negative impact on congestion by putting kick-out players under further pressure, leading to increased amount of long kicks to packs, rather than allowing more time to hit a target, which keeps ball flowing
QUARTER Heavier sanctions for clubs START TIMES not complying with quarter start times
SUPPORTED • Supported if rule operated in reasonable way
TRAINERS
Trainers only permitted on ground following goals
NOT SUPPORTED • We do not see how this will contribute significantly to reducing congestion • There are ramifications from a health and safety/ performance perspective due to the importance of hydration in our game • Not all players rotate heavily and there are long periods of time between goals in some games
FREE KICK ON 50M PENALTY
Free kick on 50m penalty for opposition runner interfering with play (if team in possession)
SUPPORTED • Supported if rule operated in reasonable way (i.e. penalty only given for blatant breaches or following warning)
PROTECTED AREA AROUND PLAYER WITH BALL
Stricter enforcement of protected area around the player with the ball a) If in protected area, must remain passive, free kick if involved in play b) Can only enter if accompanying opponent, not if within 5m c) Increasing protected area?
NOT SUPPORTED • Players consider the current approach strikes the right balance between fairness to player seeking not to infringe, and protection for player in possession
QUICKER THROW INS, BALL UPS & RESTARTS FOLLOWING GOALS
Continue with quicker throw ins, ball ups and restarts following goals
SUPPORTED
PROTECTED AREA AROUND PLAYER WITH BALL
Continued strict enforcement of rules designed to allow the team who has earned the ball to move it on quickly (protected area, cribbing, throwing ball back, holding after mark or free)
SUPPORTED