New rules an improvement

[Mike_B]

Originally posted by Chow-Chicker
It's time to install the 16 AFL coaches as a forum on the rules of the game.

There's talk the Coaches Association will petition the AFL to go back to last year's interpretation of this rule because they think it's a blight (as seen already in articles/quotes from some of the coaches).

[Doctor]

Originally posted by liz
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/foo...E20322,00.html


That said, I think my most hated free kick - and these have usually, but not consistently, been paid for a while; not a new interpretation this year - is where a forward and back are both chasing at a lead, the forward (usually) misjudges the flight of the ball and as he props, the following defender runs into the back of him.

So long as the defender hasn't pushed out with hands, I really don't see why a forward should be rewarded if he can't read the flight of the ball correctly.

I completely agree liz. How many frees did Lloyd get for just this reason against us in Round 1 last year? I don't think any of them were actually legitimate frees.

This rule, the holding the ball interpretation and the new hands in the back rule are all damaging footy IMO.

[RogueSwan]

I will wait and hold my judgement until a few rounds in, but what annoys me is the fact that the rules are constantly changing. Why not leave it for a few years between changes?
Let the game evolve naturally!

[giant]

This situation will be exacerbated this year with the new rule. If you're a fast leading forward you can now lead with almost 100% impunity: you'll either mark the ball on your chest, or if is overhead have the defender forced to chop your arms, or if it goes over your head prop back into the defender who can either infringe by trying to hold you off or take the full brunt of the forward crashing into their body - most defenders will by instinct push out with their hands. Game set & match to the forwards.

I wonder if I can get a bet on Fred Fanning's record getting broken this year?

[swansrock4eva]

An interesting point was raised by the coaches at my club down here on the weekend - make the effort to back back into a pack! Even if you don't think it's worth it (i.e. you're no chance to mark it), if you back into the pack strongly, there's a very good chance someone will put his hands on your back and you'll get a free for it. While it's using the new rule to possibly good effect, it's a total piece of garbage in the sense that players don't even need to make a concerted effort to go for the ball while backing back, they just have to do it confidently enough to make a player put his hands up and bingo, there's the free.

[DeadlyAkkuret]

New rule here to stay

Anderson says

Anderson must be watching a different NAB cup than the rest of us.

[ROK Lobster]

Anyone remember that kid with one arm that was pretty good but never going to get drafted? Maybe someone should look at him now as a potential backman.Only half as likely to get pinged under this crazy rule.

[Chow-Chicker]

Anyone know if that "fantastic" 30 second "shot clock" rule is still in vogue, or has it disappeared into the bermuda triangle of bull-@@@@ rules like "a player must kick the ball if they are awarded a free KICK"?

[Sanecow]

Originally posted by ROK Lobster
Anyone remember that kid with one arm that was pretty good but never going to get drafted?

You're getting your stories mixed up, that's Kirk's Dad.

[ScottH]

Originally posted by Sanecow
You're getting your stories mixed up, that's Kirk's Dad.

Or the kid who played in the TAC GF a few years back.
Gippsland I think it was.

[ROK Lobster]

Originally posted by Sanecow
You're getting your stories mixed up, that's Kirk's Dad.

We'll get him in the backline too. And Jack Newton.