St Kilda trials new rules at training in front of AFL footy boss Steve Hocking
AS debate over potential AFL rules changes continues, St Kilda became the latest club to conduct a trial of the new measures. Our reporter Lauren Wood was there, along with some other interested onlookers. PICS + VIDEO
ST KILDA has embarked on a “hybrid” trial of the game’s tabled guideline changes which coach Alan Richardson believes will give the AFL an idea of “what not to do”.
In front of a large contingent from AFL headquarters — including football operations boss Steve Hocking and head of umpiring Grant Williams — the Saints went through a 20-minute mixed bag preview of what the game’s “adjustments” could hold.
Starting positions — the 6/6/6 format at centre bounces — was trialled.
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A new line was painted from wing to wing of RSEA Park, and for the first few run-throughs, a player from each team was positioned on either side of it at the centre bounce.
Two players from each team were then positioned at the back of the square with no wing players — part of the “hybrid” model that still allowed St Kilda to implement its game plan ahead of Saturday’s clash with Greater Western Sydney.
Having multiple players in the defensive half of the ground during defensive or forward 50 stoppages was also tested, which forced three players from each team to remain in the back half of the ground. They could move up to the halfway point — not held inside 50 as had previously been trialled.
One common factor throughout the entire trial was umpires — who also turned out in force — quickly throwing the ball up at every stoppage which clearly quickened play.
“Given that there were so many stoppages, and so many ball-ups … and then when the umpires were committed to throwing the ball up really quickly, players just couldn’t clear the area,” Richardson said.
“I reckon there’ll be a lot that the AFL will get out of that in terms of perhaps what not to do, as opposed to ‘yeah, that’s a good look for us’.”
The prior opportunity rule was obviously tightened with a quick ball up every time it was paid rather than a free kick, with Richardson of the belief that the “very hot” interpretation of the rule, combined with the ball-ups, contributed to congestion.
“At stoppages, there was a want to keep more blokes ‘at home’, but given that there was the throw the ball up really quickly … we probably reset less today than we usually would on game day,” he said.
“Even if it wasn’t by design, it would have given the AFL guys a bit of a look at what throwing the ball up might do from a density perspective, and that is to probably make things worse.”
He said that result showed the importance of such trials, and said he “wouldn’t have thought that achieved what (the AFL were after)”.
The goalsquares were also extended to 18 metres.
Representatives from Port Adelaide were also spotted watching on.
Richardson — who said the information gleaned from the trials could influence future list decisions if the changes are implemented — said he welcomed a far greater sample size before any definitive calls are made.
It has been suggested that late-season games involving clubs such as St Kilda that are out of the finals race could be used to further trial such initiatives.
Richardson said he is split.
“I’d like to do the right thing by the competition,” he said.
“But those games are really important to us. We need to go into next year having finished off strongly and playing our way. Even today’s training session, and it was only minor, but it became a bit of an exhibition. I could imagine the build-up to that sort of game could be not dissimilar.”
He said dismissing such games as “irrelevant” to the competition was “wrong”.
“They’re very important to us. There’s no doubt that those teams … if they can’t play finals, I understand to some extent where that comment comes from, but it’s incredibly naive to think they’re not important games for a young bloke who hasn’t played a game of AFL footy, a person who’s uncontracted and trying to cement his position on a list, for a footy club who hasn’t had a strong year who needs to finish off strongly.
“They’re really important opportunities, these games.”
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Originally published as St Kilda trials new rules at training in front of AFL footy boss Steve Hocking