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I'll answer you SurreyBlue. Was going to answer your 1st post but got distracted half way through. Warning. It's longish.

Imo it's because the game styles of the likes of Hawthorn and Collingwood appear to suit the AFL'S desired product they want for their audience.

They want fast, free-flowing footy that's good on the eye. Lots of goals. All that.

They don't want the contest after contest style with short chip kicks around the backline, etc

This is why they are constantly altering the rules slightly to accommodate their desired product.

Holding the ball. Now a player can attempt to dispose of the ball any way they possibly can when tackled, and if the ball spills out now without touching the players hand or foot the umps will call play on stating "he made an attempt, play on". No more incorrect disposal and a free kick to the tackler because they don't want a stoppage and subsequent contest.

Free flowing. It's why they let 2 handed handballs flung over a players head play on instead of pulling them up for a free kick for throwing. If it's an obvious throw that everyone can see then they will ping them but more often than not the umps will let it play on. Short 10m kicks no longer allowed in the D50 because they don't want it stop start. Free flowing. But they will allow the little 10m kicks into the F50 because it means more shots on goal. That's exactly what they want.

Now, if anyone thinks that the AFL don't sit down with the umps at the start of the season to discuss what they want in terms of adjudication of the rules and who they want to favour with those adjudications, so that their product is enhanced, well, they are just deluded.

Maybe both Hawthorn and Collingwood have caught onto the above and adjusted their game styles to suit what the AFL want?

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