New AFL Rules and Interpretations for 2016 Season

[Bloods05]

Yes it will

Sometimes it will, sometimes it won't.

[CureTheSane]

The game naturally evolves and then the AFL come in to restrict and control the evolution.
It can't be left to be it's own beast.

[Bloods05]

The game naturally evolves and then the AFL come in to restrict and control the evolution.
It can't be left to be it's own beast.

It's really the level of tinkering and interference that is the problem. It has now become virtually mandatory for changes to the rules to be made every year, and changes to interpretations almost every other week. It's out of control.

[Velour&Ruffles]

So let me make sure I'm not misunderstanding. The AFL .......the above reproach governing body of the game we all love......... has decided to muck around with the rules of the game without explaining itself or engaging in any proper consultation? Liar. LIAR!

[Meg]

New AFL Rules and Interpretations for 2016 Season

So let me make sure I'm not misunderstanding. The AFL .......the above reproach governing body of the game we all love......... has decided to muck around with the rules of the game without explaining itself or engaging in any proper consultation? Liar. LIAR!

In fairness, I think there has been consultation with the clubs starting (at least) as far back as draft time last year and then following with a "rules summit" in November. (See quotes/referenced articles below.)

But personally I never think the AFL explains its changes or provides easily obtainable information on a range of matters. Just finding a link to an up-to-date rules booklet, even more how to purchase a hard copy, is difficult. I don't believe the AFL is necessarily being deliberately secretive, but it is certainly not a skilled communicator to its fan base.

"The league surveyed key club officials at a meeting ahead of last month's draft in Adelaide about a number of possible rule changes or alterations, including the protected area."
AFL looking at expanding players' protected area

"The league met AFL coaches and footy @bosses at a rules summit on Tuesday, with a @larger protected zone around the man on the mark and the nature of ruck contests @discussed. The 18 club chiefs urged the league to protect players being hurt in dangerous sling tackles."
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[CureTheSane]

It's really the level of tinkering and interference that is the problem. It has now become virtually mandatory for changes to the rules to be made every year, and changes to interpretations almost every other week. It's out of control.

It's not 1920 any more. Professional game now.
Also we live in a nanny state. The game needs to sit well with mums and the AFL lives by some perception that unless the games is seen as being 'soccer', they will lose players from the junior lever to, well... soccer.

[Bloods05]

It's not 1920 any more. Professional game now.
Also we live in a nanny state. The game needs to sit well with mums and the AFL lives by some perception that unless the games is seen as being 'soccer', they will lose players from the junior lever to, well... soccer.

That is hardly a defence of what the AFL is doing.

[CureTheSane]

No, it's a reason.
The defense of what the AFL are doing would be that the changes that they make generally make the game better and more enjoyable to watch.
This is what I believe anyway.

[Mel_C]

Not liking the interpretation of the deliberate out of bounds rule after just one quarter. Both sides have received a dodgy free.

[Bloods05]

No, it's a reason.
The defense of what the AFL are doing would be that the changes that they make generally make the game better and more enjoyable to watch.
This is what I believe anyway.

Even if you do believe that, and I don't in all cases, it still doesn't follow that it has to be tweaked every freaking year.

[CureTheSane]

I'd rather it be tweaked every year than wholesale changes made every few years.

[Bloods05]

I'd rather it be tweaked every year than wholesale changes made every few years.

So tweaking every few years isn't an option?

[Meg]

New AFL Rules and Interpretations for 2016 Season

Can anyone who watched the first Swans NAB match (live or tv) tell me if there were any 50 metre penalties given for breach of the new 10-metre protection zone? I gather there were a couple (more?) free kicks for deliberate out-of-bounds. Was there any noticeable overall impact on the game that you think was attributable to these new rules? I appreciate it's a bit hard to judge based on one game but still ........

[Doctor]

It's not 1920 any more. Professional game now.
Also we live in a nanny state. The game needs to sit well with mums and the AFL lives by some perception that unless the games is seen as being 'soccer', they will lose players from the junior lever to, well... soccer.

The only one of the rule changes that affects this perception of which you speak is the one about slam tackles, which is a welcome rule change. Any effective rule change that helps protect the head should be lauded. This is nothing to do with a "nanny state", an overused catch-all expression that says little and really grinds my gears, but rather an important and responsible rule change by the AFL to ensure risks of concussion are minimised where possible.

[CureTheSane]

The only one of the rule changes that affects this perception of which you speak is the one about slam tackles, which is a welcome rule change. Any effective rule change that helps protect the head should be lauded. This is nothing to do with a "nanny state", an overused catch-all expression that says little and really grinds my gears, but rather an important and responsible rule change by the AFL to ensure risks of concussion are minimised where possible.

You know what?, I had a whole thing typed out, but close to the end I decided that this is a sex, religion, politics type thing, so there is no point in perpetuating the argument.
You're 100% right.

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So tweaking every few years isn't an option?

Nope.
Things change too fast, and need to be reeled in.