BALL-UPS around the ground decreased in the opening two rounds as umpires held off blowing the whistle to keep play flowing.

 

The average number of ball-ups around the ground per game in rounds one and two has reduced from 23 to 18, however the number of boundary throw-ins per game has increased.  

 

The increase in boundary throw-ins, which may be due to playing style or above average figures being recorded in early season games played in wet weather, has pushed the average number of stoppages per game to 65.2 per game.

 

The number of around the ground ball-ups can determine the amount of congestion in games. 

 

Although pleased with the early evidence, AFL football operations manager Mark Evans preached caution in relation to the figures.

 

"Two rounds is not significant enough to say that a trend has emerged or whether these figures will just normalise once we have got more games into the mix but the data we have in our hands in the moment shows a pleasing reduction in around the ground ball-ups," Evans said.

 

Umpires are not only waiting to blow the whistle but rule changes also demand players who fall on the ball make a genuine attempt to keep it moving.

 

Although the number of free kicks paid fell in round one, the AFL acknowledges there is room for improvement to ensure all free kicks that are warranted are awarded.

 

Evans said there was still plenty of football to be played before a genuine trend could be established.

 

"The caution is to wait for the next three, four, five weeks of data before we can really call a trend," Evans said.

 

Evans is also encouraged by early indications that the number of free kicks being paid for contact below the knees has dropped significantly in the first two rounds. He said it is an indication that players are adapting to the rule.

 

The AFL appointed a new director of umpiring, Wayne Campbell, and umpires coach, Hayden Kennedy, at the start of 2014.