AFL uses Hawthorn training session to trial new rules (zones, etc)

[legend166]

Not even sure where to begin with this one:

WITH the look and feel of the game now the hot-button topic in the game, the AFL has enlisted its most successful coach to help chart a course for the future.

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson used the bye week to stage a training session on Saturday morning and it was moved to Etihad Stadium after a request from the AFL to "try a few things".

The match practice sessions included some new wrinkles and was watched by several key AFL officials.

At various stages of the scratch match, there had to be either three or four players from each team parked inside the 50-metre arc following each centre bounce and also for a time, at every stoppage.

http://m.afl.com.au/news/2018-06-12/exclusive-hawks-afl-in-trial-of-onfield-zones

More at the link including talking about reducing interchanges or getting rid of interchange entirely.

 

[STPer18]

Escalated from coffee pretty quickly.

 

[1990crow]

Seems like an AFL way of doing things. Seriously corrupt organisation.

 

[Upgrayedd]

Move over Sydney, We run this bitch now

 

[Vyrone Trickery]

Not a great look. How would it ideally be trialled? The 2s?

 

[shaqsuns]

I think they need to play with bibs too


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Who cares?

How else would they trial something?

 

[Blackhawk42]

Please do not do substitutes again. Everybody hates it.

 

[SilentHunter_]

Firstly... zones ugh...
Secondly, must be nice to get exclusive access to a potential major overhaul to the sport before every other team. No advantage there!

 

[base615]

I don't understand the angst. How else would the AFL design rules to benefit Hawthorn without trialling them with Hawthorn?

 

[legend166]

Okay so here are my thought bubbles out of this:

- The fact that a club has to waste a training session on AFL experiments is just crazy
- Rule changes being driven by people barely out of a decade plus coaching job with one particular club is just really stupid
- The serious consideration of zones is just mind blowing. It would be the biggest paradigm change in a century. Complete freedom of movement is a fundamental rule of the sport
- Must be nice to get more access to the umpires

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Zones (like netball) are obviously a no-go

Not sure I’d be so quick to shut down a number of players required in a zone just at a stoppage though. I don’t think it’d have as big an impact as people think, except to open it up a bit. Once the ball bounces it’d all be the same.

 

[Baz_hawk]

Don't mind the approach of bringing a club in to test the trial, at least being able to get feedback from players would be a good guide as to where the game is going and what those playing it think. I have no issue with it being tested, the fact that it's the Hawks will draw more attention than what is occurring however because of the incorrectly reported meeting weeks earlier.

On the changes themselves, substitutes is a horrible idea. The AFL should have learn this already. People hated this and they scrapped it and now they want to do more. No.
Zones, no thank you. I could accept maybe a zone setup prior to the ball being bounced in the middle, beyond that no thank you.
16 a side could work however that'd be a huge extra strain on players and fitness. Couple that with them wanting to scrap interchange or minimise it and you have a soft tissue disaster.

The game is constantly evolving, it wasn't 5 years ago when the game was in great shape and we were seeing a lot of high scoring games. A very reactionary change is not what is required.

 

[ciaobella]

Was so annoyed when I saw this. The fact these ridiculous zones are actually being entertained is disturbing for the game. Any of this crap gets brought in and I'm gone. RIP Aussie Rules.

 

[Rion]

A change this big should need years of refining at the lower levels/pre-season comps.

Knowing the AFL though they'll introduce it for next year because they're worried about this year's TV ratings.

 

[ciaobella]

The game is constantly evolving, it wasn't 5 years ago when the game was in great shape and we were seeing a lot of high scoring games. A very reactionary change is not what is required.

Has been copious amounts of low scoring crackers. I shake my head every time I see someone say something like this.

 

[I Lost My Keays]

If there's zones the AFL is screwed, nobody would want to watch it. It's not netball, it's AFL ffs.

 

[Bob Neil]

Play on from a kick backwards is a simple change that would keep the game moving and I could get behind that change. Subs, zones can go and get arsed.

 

[ciaobella]

Play on from a kick backwards is a simple change that would keep the game moving and I could get behind that change. Subs, zones can go and get arsed.

And you can create your own code with that pal. Nothing wrong with kicking backwards! Called wanting to maintain possession. Part of the good old fashioned Aussie Rules. A simple but awesome game. Well it used to be anyway before all the crap rules were brought in.

 

[didaksrightfoot]

Not a great look. How would it ideally be trialled? The 2s?

NAB cup (or whatever its called now).

VFL/WAFL/SANFL

Organise some exhibition matches or stand alone reserves games.

Hell even arrange it with all clubs beforehand and spend a month visiting every team once to show them how it goes.

FFS - anything but this. I swear every decision that comes out of the AFL makes me trust Gil less and less.

 

[Rabman]

Media need to stop confusing zones with starting position. Zones means players are confined to an area for the entire match, this is the furthest thing from the AFL's mind, confirmed by Leigh Matthews. Starting positions as whats been trialed is certain amount of players in the forward/defensive half of the ground when a stoppage is taking place and after that, players are free to move around. The word zone is constantly being misused and is the last thing the AFL is thinking of.

 

[Farm Boy]

I liked the 16 a side idea, but zones, that is ridiculous.

 

[StevenwellerHFC]

I doubt anyone will agree on what changes should be made.

 

[citizen-erased]

Did anyone check if the hawks trained within the new rules?

 

[THE EQUALIZER]

There will be plenty of dead rubbers in the final third of the season to road test potential new rules.

It certainly would boost the interest in games where finals are no possibility.

In season trialling is the way to go.