AFL doesn’t need to rush in zoning rules next season, writes David King

ZONING is regarded as the answer to decongest our game, and while improvements are needed, the AFL will be making a mistake if it rushes in these changes, writes DAVID KING.

Zoning could have an impact on players who lack speed, such as Bernie Vince. Picture: Getty Images

THE radical rule changes to be confirmed at the end of the season will be great news for the broader competition as “zoning” is seen as the answer to decongest our great game.

There’ll be promises of a more free-flowing game from clearances, more scoring and maybe even the return of the Tony Lockett/Jason Dunstall 100-goalkicker types.

Zoning involves each team committing five players inside their forward half, therefore creating less opportunity to press and/or congest clearances.

SEASON DERAILED: SAINTS TAKE HIT AFTER GOOD FRIDAY LOSS

HUGE OFFER: NORTH MAKES NO APOLOGIES FOR DE GOEY BID

Two pairs mandated inside the forward 50m at each stoppage is another “zone” proposal with strong support.

Less strategic influence from the coach’s box will ensure space across the field.

The game is already exhibiting a penchant for lightning quick pressure smalls who reset their forward structures almost immediately — the 188cm full forward is the new black.

There’s no way a Jordan Lewis or Bernie Vince could guard that type of opponent in space next season.

How will Heath Grundy types come through these changes?

Space is the arch enemy of a player without speed, trapped in a situation with a more nimble opponent and an abundance of space surrounding them.

Great space guarding defenders rely on pressure on the ball carrier at the contest, but with less numbers there’ll certainly be less pressure. Less intercept marks and/or turnovers.

Would we still have clubs prepared to give ageing warriors the ability to play on at the end of their playing days, some already retired, pre-coaching across half-back like Luke Hodge in Brisbane?

Steele Sidebottom tries to break a tackle as Carlton adopted more defensive tactics against Collingwood last weekend. Picture: AAP

The rumours of Jarrad McVeigh finishing his career at Gold Coast are strong, similar to Hodge at the Lions and Sam Mitchell at West Coast, but given the changing mechanics that come with zoning, the question must be asked about the likelihood of its on-field success.

I’ve enjoyed watching Hodge, Steve Johnson, Paul Chapman, James Kelly among others continue on and spread their wisdom and game sense at others clubs, particularly struggling environments that need guidance.

But the minute zoning enters our game, the ageing on-field mentor becomes extinct.

Expect the ball to be in motion more often and challenge midfield groups to seriously get their skates on.

If you cannot continue to run in the midfield then prepare to be exposed.

I’m sure we all agree that alterations need to be made but after five or six intraclub mini-games will that be enough information to apply into the AFL season proper next year?

Why wouldn’t we see it through a JLT Series first and possibly hold off for one year just in case of these “unintended consequences”.

Iron out all the issues that right now we’re unaware.

Could the AFL sanction a one-off summer competition of VFL, SANFL and WAFL clubs and players to trial these rule changes and coaching adaptations?

Veterans such as Luke Hodge won’t enjoy zoning. Picture: Getty Images

The real strategy about coaching against these new changes hasn’t even started. Alastair Clarkson has always been ahead of the curve and I just wonder what he’s thinking of doing defensively to assist his back six.

What would the scores have been in the Carlton-Collingwood game on Sunday if Brendan Bolton couldn’t park the bus — all eighteen players in the defensive 50 — for periods when under siege?

The notion of the flood is dead and so to the press, which is clearly the aim, but you can guarantee more blowouts.

There’ll be scores, massive scores against the cellar dwellers and I just wounder if long-term this is a good thing, given how long a proper rebuild can take.

Should we have fixed the ability to rebuild quicker before lighting up the scoring?

What changes are we making to list movement, free agency and longer initial AFL contracts? Mid-season trade windows? Where’s the action on these much-needed innovations?

The AFL cannot initiate these changes in October and roll them into the AFL season proper in 2019 only to be adjusting and altering just months in. That would be a disaster.

Speed kills was always a popular slogan. It may be killing the ageing, slow defender but let’s not be too speedy for radical change before we’re ready.

The changes to the tribunal system under Adrian Anderson were supposed to be seamless and eradicate all grey area.

The video review system was to ensure correct decisions were made, no howlers. Clash strips, the colour of the umpire apparel ...

I’m not against change but I am a nervous AFL fan who wants these changes to work.

Crawl, walk, run.

Watch every match of every round of the 2018 Toyota AFL Premiership Season. SIGN UP NOW >

Originally published as AFL doesn’t need to rush in zoning rules next season, writes David King