In an exclusive survey for afl.com.au, conducted under the auspices of the AFL Coaches Association, nine coaches wanted to scrap either the contentious hands in the back rule, or the prohibition on chopping arms in the marking contest.
When asked which current rule should be changed, six coaches nominated the hands in the back rule, while three singled out the rule covering spoiling of the ball by taking out the arms in a marking battle.
Other rules individual coaches wanted scrapped were the requirement to bounce the ball at stop-plays; prior opportunity/holding the ball; rushed behinds – the coach wanted the interpretation trialled in the NAB Cup introduced – and the penalty for interchange infringements.
"I still think the penalty for an interchange infringement is too harsh," said the coach who called for action on that rule.
"There should be only a 50m penalty attached to the free kick if the team that has not infringed is in possession. If the team that infringed is in possession, then it should just be a free kick."
Coaches were also asked what new rule should be introduced to the premiership season.
Responses ranged from a plea to abandon the centre-square bounce to a call to "leave the game for now. Better interpret the current rules. Focus on that".
One coach suggested a rule that would 'dilute zoning'.
"The new rule that could be introduced, after more discussion and debate, is that at every stoppage (including point kick-in) there has to be at least three players from both sides inside both 50m arcs.
"This would dilute zoning, decrease numbers at stoppages and hopefully increase more one-on-one contests. At the same time, [it would] still allow tactics to be part of the game and also the game to be played continuously at good speed."
Another coach called for boundary throw-ins from 10m inside the playing field, a rule trialled in the NAB Cup in 2007 and 2008, while two argued the game was becoming too sterile and said confrontation and physicality should be encouraged.
When asked to nominate the best rule changed during their time in the game, coaches focused on three main issues: the centre circle for ruck contests; protecting players' heads, and interchange regulations, especially the advent of four players on the bench.
Five coaches nominated head protection and five interchange rules, while four singled out the extra protection for ruckman through the centre circle. Three mentioned allowing quick kick-ins after behinds were scored, while two named tougher interpretation of the holding the ball rule.
Coaches were unanimous in saying that the introduction of four boundary umpires had speeded up the game, but a number were concerned about its effect on ruckmen.
One said the game had to be careful not to make ruckmen 'obsolete'. Another noted, "a by-product is to target/recruit a more athletic ruckman to be able to cover the ground", while on a similar note one coach said teams now probably needed specialist ruckmen in their forward lines.
Two coaches argued for commonsense on when boundary umpires threw the ball in. "As long as they wait for players to get to the throw-in it will be a good thing for footy," one noted.
HOW THEY ANSWERED
(selected responses)
Is there a new rule you think should be introduced?
“Leave the rules as they are”
“Boundary throw-ins 10m in from the boundary”
“The new rule that could be introduced, after more discussion and debate, is that at every stoppage (including kick-in after a point) there has to be at least three players from both sides inside both 50m arcs. This would dilute zoning, decrease numbers at stoppages and hopefully increase more one-on-one contests. At the same time, [it would] still allow tactics to be part of the game and also the game to be played continuously at good speed.”
“Prior opportunity. Currently it is an individual rule where I believe it should be a team rule. If the opposition are good enough to pressure and a player sells his teammate into trouble by handballing to him when he is hot the opposition should gain the advantage and the team who made the wrong decision should be penalised. Currently we would ball this up because the player had no prior opportunity.”
“Just let the physicality and confrontation go – game is too sterile”
“One substitute but only for a serious injury”
“Rushed behind rule”
“Don't be so tough on the player trying to make the play by winning the hard ball by gathering the ground ball and getting caught over it”
“Do not punish contested ball winner with holding/dropping the ball as easily. Allow more leniency.”
“Eradicate the centre-square bounce. Throw it up”
“Accidental contact rule”
“Leave [the] game for now. Better interpret the current rules. Focus on that.”
How has the introduction of four boundary umpires affected the game?
"Quickened it up, making it tougher for ruckmen to get to throw-ins”
“Quickened it up even further”
“The four boundary umpires has made the game more continuous and less time for ruckman to get the boundary throw-ins. A by-product is to target/recruit a more athletic ruckman to be able to cover the ground.”
“Too early to judge. Rucks may need to be aerobically better?”
“As long as they wait for players to get to the throw-in it will be a good thing for footy”
“[It will] quicken stoppage time up. Probably need specialist ruckman in your forward line”
“Not much - just needs common sense re timing of restarting the game”
“[There is] no time to get to stoppages, especially for blokes 200+cm”
“Last year ruckmen could not get to contests quick enough”
“[We need to be] careful that ruckmen do not become obsolete”
“Has made play faster. We need to be mindful of what we do now that increases the speed of the game”
The 2009 afl.com.au Coaches Survey was conducted anonymously, with thanks to the AFL Coaches Association. Check back each day this week for more responses.
