AFL super think tank puts four changes to commission to save the look of the Australian game

AT least four new concepts for Australian football will be put to the AFL Commission to deliver a new look to the playing field and rule book next season

Hall of Fame Legend Malcolm Blight is convinced there will be change to Australian football next season after sifting through 35 proposals at the AFL “think tank” session in Melbourne on Thursday. Picture: Tom Huntley

AUSTRALIAN football will change next year but the AFL Commission will hold off against radical moves – such as zones – that challenge the game’s heritage.

AFL football boss Steve Hocking’s super “think tank” – that includes Hall of Fame Legends Malcolm Blight and Leigh Matthews – has worked through 35 proposals to deal with the “look of the game” leaving nine on the table at AFL House for serious review.

At least four seem certain to move to the commission room for final approval as the AFL seeks answers to ending concerning congestion on the field:

WHY FAKE INJURY UPDATES ARE NOT A GOOD LOOK

STARTING positions. This would require three forwards and three defenders inside a new 25-metre arc; three forwards and three defenders between the 50 and 25-metre arcs; and six players in the midfield.

These starting positions apply only at the opening bounce in each quarter and at every re-start after a goal.

This system will be easier to patrol with the AFL expected to introduce a four-umpire system next season. An umpire would be permanently placed in each forward-50 area.
LAST TOUCH. This concept – punishing players for all kicks across the boundary line, not just those on the full – comes from successful use in the SANFL in the past two seasons. This would reduce congestion with fewer stoppages to read boundary throw-ins.
ENLARGED goalsquare – from its current length of nine metres to possibly 18 and increasing its width from the 6.4 metres between the goal posts to all 19.2 metres across the goalface. This is to give defenders more room for their kick-ins to clear away from the 50-metre arc.

In question is how the AFL will then address the current rule that allows a forward who takes a mark inside the goalsquare to have a shot directly in front of the centre of the goal – rather than on an angle from the marking point to the centre point of the goal.

A NEW 25-metre penalty. This would be used by umpires for “minor” offences – such as entering the 10-metre exclusion zone on the mark – and leave the 50-metre penalty for serious breaches.

If all four recommendations are endorsed by the AFL Commission – with an announcement to be made in October – the Australian football field will have two new markings. These will be the new 25-metre arc – and the new goal semi-circle replacing the goalsquare.

“There will be change,” said Blight, one of the five men in Hocking’s think tank that met in Melbourne on Thursday. “I have no doubt there will be change.

“But change that protects the heritage of the game so that is remains our game – not another.”

This rules out Legend Kevin Sheedy’s push for 16-a-side teams on the field – a move that would take two players off each side. Zones – holding players to certain sections of the field for all of the game - also is off the agenda.

Blight, Matthews, Brownlow Medallist Gerard Healy, experienced journalist Mike Sheahan and fellow commentator Gerard Whateley made up Hocking’s think tank.

Originally published as AFL super think tank puts four changes to commission to save the look of the Australian game