David EdwardsAFL Laws Committee to Review Push In Back Rule
August 10th 2007 10:29
The AFL announced yesterday that they would be reviewing a number of key rule changes at the end of the season, including the contentious and highly debatable hands in the back interpretation used this season.
The ruling, which has been one of high comment and discussion throughout the season, and has been a major factor of a number of games (including the Essendon – Richmond clash in round nine where a hands in the back free kick essentially lost the game for the Tigers) will be considered by the AFL laws of the game committee when they commence meetings at the end of October. Other rules up for review include the number of interchanges used in matches, deliberate rushed behinds and kicking backwards.
Whilst the hands in the back rule has been a major thorn in the league’s side, they have emphasised that they will not be dramatically changing the interpretation. Said Adrian Anderson at yesterday’s press conference that any changes would be considered not just on the numbers and statistics, but rather what is considered “what is best for the game.”
Anderson also confirmed that “there is an legitimate argument to leave the game alone.”
The other rules being reviewed are the rushed behind rules, which clubs are utilising to bring the ball straight back into play (and one ruling which was a major factor in the St.Kilda – Western Bulldogs draw last round), the number of interchanges used in a match, which has risen dramatically over the past seven seasons, and the kicking behind tactics that many teams are using to wind down the clock and keep their lead alive in the last stages of the match.
These three discussion points have been considered by the Laws committee due to the fact of the numbers and figures of the rule being used in the state of play, coupled with how ruling has altered how the game has played over the last few seasons.
The interchange bench has been a constant revolving door over the last few seasons, as coaches and sides are trying to compete with the constant intensity of the modern game. Since 2000, there has been a 235 percent increase of how many interchanges are used in a match, whilst the distance covered by midfield players has dramatically dropped, falling from 17 to 13 kilometres per match.
Rushed behinds have also increased as coaches utilise bringing the ball immediately back into play, increasing to 5.8 rushed behind per game throughout the 2007 season.
Whilst the discussion of viable options for these three rulings will be interesting and full of criticism and discussion, the most will be kept for how they will respond to the push in the back rule. Other than the use of illicit and performance enhancing drugs in the AFL (thanks to the Cousins saga during pre-season and more recently the Akermanis article that has created waves throughout the league), the new interpretation of this rule has been one of the most commented and discussed points of the game this season. Coaches, players, officials, and commentators of the AFL have all thrown their hat into the ring in regards to this issue.
In fact the AFL itself has been defending their recent ruling ever since last October where many staff and players of the league claimed that it would completely change how the game will play, and many players have seriously attacked the new interpretation, especially Matthew Richardson who criticised the ruling after his side’s lost against the Bombers in Round Nine.
Now the AFL have stated that they will not be making dramatic changes to the ruling, but to keep the essence of the games there is no doubt they have to reconsider the interpretation. 2007 has proven that the new ruling has done more harm to the game than good, and whilst many other changes throughout the seasons quickly became old news, this new ruling has constantly been discussed and attacked, even to today. If the AFL really do think they have to change around the rulings to protect the modern sport, the first thing they will definitely do is reconsider this interpretation, and actually listen to the player, coaches and the supporters.
If they actually believe that this is a game that belongs to the people, then there is no doubt that they will have to think about how this ruling effects the game, and not for the better. If the people have spoken (which they have), then there is no doubt that will have to take a step back and really consider what is best for the game as a whole.
What to Watch For: With the finals around the corner, two vital matches in the NRL and AFL will be worth watching. On Sunday, the Kangaroos and West Coast square off against one another in a top four clash as both sides hope to earn a second chance spot in the finals, whilst on the same day the Melbourne Storm will host the Brisbane Broncos in the Grand Final rematch with more at stake, as the injury depleted Broncos are struggling to stay in the eight for even for a slight chance to defend their title.
Until next time, sports minds.
The ruling, which has been one of high comment and discussion throughout the season, and has been a major factor of a number of games (including the Essendon – Richmond clash in round nine where a hands in the back free kick essentially lost the game for the Tigers) will be considered by the AFL laws of the game committee when they commence meetings at the end of October. Other rules up for review include the number of interchanges used in matches, deliberate rushed behinds and kicking backwards.
Whilst the hands in the back rule has been a major thorn in the league’s side, they have emphasised that they will not be dramatically changing the interpretation. Said Adrian Anderson at yesterday’s press conference that any changes would be considered not just on the numbers and statistics, but rather what is considered “what is best for the game.”
Anderson also confirmed that “there is an legitimate argument to leave the game alone.”
The other rules being reviewed are the rushed behind rules, which clubs are utilising to bring the ball straight back into play (and one ruling which was a major factor in the St.Kilda – Western Bulldogs draw last round), the number of interchanges used in a match, which has risen dramatically over the past seven seasons, and the kicking behind tactics that many teams are using to wind down the clock and keep their lead alive in the last stages of the match.
These three discussion points have been considered by the Laws committee due to the fact of the numbers and figures of the rule being used in the state of play, coupled with how ruling has altered how the game has played over the last few seasons.
The interchange bench has been a constant revolving door over the last few seasons, as coaches and sides are trying to compete with the constant intensity of the modern game. Since 2000, there has been a 235 percent increase of how many interchanges are used in a match, whilst the distance covered by midfield players has dramatically dropped, falling from 17 to 13 kilometres per match.
Rushed behinds have also increased as coaches utilise bringing the ball immediately back into play, increasing to 5.8 rushed behind per game throughout the 2007 season.
Whilst the discussion of viable options for these three rulings will be interesting and full of criticism and discussion, the most will be kept for how they will respond to the push in the back rule. Other than the use of illicit and performance enhancing drugs in the AFL (thanks to the Cousins saga during pre-season and more recently the Akermanis article that has created waves throughout the league), the new interpretation of this rule has been one of the most commented and discussed points of the game this season. Coaches, players, officials, and commentators of the AFL have all thrown their hat into the ring in regards to this issue.
In fact the AFL itself has been defending their recent ruling ever since last October where many staff and players of the league claimed that it would completely change how the game will play, and many players have seriously attacked the new interpretation, especially Matthew Richardson who criticised the ruling after his side’s lost against the Bombers in Round Nine.
Now the AFL have stated that they will not be making dramatic changes to the ruling, but to keep the essence of the games there is no doubt they have to reconsider the interpretation. 2007 has proven that the new ruling has done more harm to the game than good, and whilst many other changes throughout the seasons quickly became old news, this new ruling has constantly been discussed and attacked, even to today. If the AFL really do think they have to change around the rulings to protect the modern sport, the first thing they will definitely do is reconsider this interpretation, and actually listen to the player, coaches and the supporters.
If they actually believe that this is a game that belongs to the people, then there is no doubt that they will have to think about how this ruling effects the game, and not for the better. If the people have spoken (which they have), then there is no doubt that will have to take a step back and really consider what is best for the game as a whole.
What to Watch For: With the finals around the corner, two vital matches in the NRL and AFL will be worth watching. On Sunday, the Kangaroos and West Coast square off against one another in a top four clash as both sides hope to earn a second chance spot in the finals, whilst on the same day the Melbourne Storm will host the Brisbane Broncos in the Grand Final rematch with more at stake, as the injury depleted Broncos are struggling to stay in the eight for even for a slight chance to defend their title.
Until next time, sports minds.
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Comment by David
That pansy touch of Richo's? No wonder he went off his nut. If that was a push in the back, we may as well change codes.