Clubs’ focus on fitness saw an explosion in the game’s pace and higher scoring
THE AFL has tried to fix the game but has in turn made it more complex and unattractive, writes Chris McDermott. Bone has quizzed five legends from different eras on the state of the game and how it can be improved. Today he speaks to Michael Taylor.
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THE AFL has tried to fix the game but has in turn made it more complex and unattractive.
The question being asked is, is football better today or have we slowly destroyed it?
Have we messed with the fabric of the game once too often?
In an effort to find out why it changed, where it changed and a how to fix it before it is too late, Chris McDermott quizzed five Aussie rules champions from different eras on the state of the game. Today he speaks to former Norwood and Collingwood star Michael Taylor about the 1980s in the VFL and the SANFL.
1. What on-field tactic or trend defined the decade of the 1980s?
The Centre Square. If my recollection is any good. The holding the ball rule changed so you couldn’t throw the ball out in front of you. The dropkick died.
It was the era of fitness and assistant coaches. The days of just the one head coach were over. An assistant was added to share the increasing workload but there was never any doubt who was the head man. Running coaches were coupled with weight training sessions and boxing drills. Cross training also started to become a thing. A pushbike appeared, then it was swimming and the odd triathlon.
It was the time to know your body. Learn how it worked and what to look out for.
Looking after yourself became important.
Then someone came up with Sunday trainings for rehabilitation.
Off field, meetings became a trend, to discuss opposition players strengths and weaknesses.
Having spent some time in Victoria with Collingwood, the game was definitely getting more professional. On field players started to play multiple positions. I remember playing full back, back pocket, half back flank, centre, ruck rover and even centre-half forward for a time.
Yes. Don’t laugh and we started to talk tactics.
2. How did it change the game? Was it for the better or the worse?
It was better for sure. The game became quicker and quicker and quicker. Speed was a big thing but skills never compromised. The game kept getting faster and faster.
In terms of positions on the ground, flankers were asked to do more. As players got better and there were more of them around the roles of half-forward flankers like Roger Woodcock etc became more important. The game was even more spectacular better for fans.
Shootouts were popular and the fans loved it but it still felt like the game still had a long way to go. Free kicks had to be earned back then and the game was better for it.
One thing, the umpires were respected and far more relaxed. You were on a first-name basis with all of them and you could talk to them when the ball was up the other end.
Even have a drink with them after the game.
Those days are gone.
3. How was it received by the football community (players, clubs, public)? Any specific examples of unrest, outcry, calls for the rules to be changed to combat the trend?
No, I can’t recall there being any issues on or off the ground back then. Looking back it was a great time for the game Football was in a very good place from a players perspective.
There were massive crowds in Victoria and SA. State of Origin football was at its peak.
Players were going to Victoria and returning and bringing back some interstate intel.
They were bigger, stronger and faster but our skills were equal.
4. How did the game react to or overcome the trend so that the integrity of football remained?
Coaches intervened and Robert Walls was one of them.
A thing called strategy was introduced. Zones and huddles came into fashion. Basketball tactics. Shock tactics that worked a treat. Coaches studied other sports and picked the pieces out of what worked and didn’t work but lots of things were tried.
It was the first time structure had ever been part of the game.
Randomness was dying.
5. What is the biggest challenge facing football in 2018? What is the solution?
Scoring, kicking goals. People love scoring and it must be protected and encouraged.
Skills and fitness levels are good but opposition tactics are vital now and how to shut down opposition strengths and weaknesses.
Congestion is not a problem for me. It might be an annoyance but relax it will change.
And no more rules we’ve got enough and it gets too confusing.
If I had to do 1 thing in the future it would be, I believe, to go back to 16 players on the field. I don’t like it but the crowds will.
Might not happen for 10 years but if there’s a decline in crowds at games, that’s the change for mine but no zones, please, it just reduces a players incentive to cover the ground.
History says the game sorts itself out. Leave it alone.
Let the greats change it Jack Oatey, Paul Roos, Ross Lyon. There’s enough of them, let them change the game not the rules.
TOMORROW
Former Hawthorn and Central District star John Platten