THE AFL is examining ways to end confusion of on-field officials being mistaken for players after several incidents in 2013.

 

While runners will remain in bright, distinctive colours, the AFL is considering what trainers, physiotherapists and club doctors might wear in order to easily distinguish them from players.

 

One option believed to be under consideration includes changing the colour of the top that on-field officials wear or giving them a more significant mark of identification to distinguish them.

 

In 2013, trainers wore club colours with a number on their back, while physios and doctors wore club colours and a band around their arm that identified the role they were playing.  

 

In round 12 this year, when Carlton played Hawthorn, there were two incidents where Carlton players kicked in the direction of 'teammates' only to realise after the kick they had mistaken Hawthorn trainers in dark polo tops as 'teammates'.

 

It led Carlton coach Mick Malthouse to say after the game he was "a little bit confused and concerned that we cannot get the colours right".

 

The AFL toyed with the idea of making a change at the end of 2012 when Adrian Anderson was nearing the end of his tenure as football operations boss yet trainers still wore club colours in 2013.

 

With decisions made in split seconds as the game gets quicker many observers believe a change is overdue.

 

Any changes however are likely to require further consultation.

 

Trainers have never stood still when it comes to fashion, progressing from wearing whites, a blazer and tie to whites with a cap in the club colours that was in the same style as a cricket cap. 

 

That tradition continued in various guises at clubs until well into the 1960s.

 

In the mid-1960s trainers began wearing white pants with a club coloured tracksuit top, often bearing the club logo.

 

As colour television began in the 1970s and sponsors' logos became omnipresent the trainers bore the colours and brands louder than anyone.

 

Most trainers now wear shorts and polo shirts in the club colours, making them difficult to distinguish in a crowded and fast-paced game.

 

Trainers are also at increased risk of being knocked over when it is more difficult to see them.

 

AFL football operations manager Mark Evans is also looking at ways to reduce the impact on-field officials have on the game and the amount of time they spend on the ground.

 

Discussion around limiting the time runners spend on the ground or even reducing the number of runners from two per team was robust when the issue was raised with coaches at the Laws Summit on the Gold Coast last week.