AFL boss Steve Hocking says jury still out on new rules

Four weeks into the new season, a host of statistical changes are evident — namely a drop in scoring. But the AFL says it’s not directly because of the new rules, Mark Robinson writes.

AFL boss Steve Hocking says the jury is still out on the AFL’s new rules. Picture: Getty Images

The jury remains out on the impact of the new rules, according to AFL football boss Steve Hocking.

With scoring down, marks increased and more contested possessions among a host of numerical changes, Hocking said yesterday the new rules, coaches and West Coast’s game style were all contributors to the current style of the game.

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The new kick-in rule and the 6-6-6 rule, which were introduced this season, have been key topics of discussion as evaluations are made across the first four rounds, particularly of the lower scoring.

“It’s up and down the scoring at the moment,’’ Hocking told the Herald Sun.

“I think clubs are still working it out.

“It’s a still way off revealing what direction the game is headed in.

“Who is going to develop the next style of play that’s going to, not revolutionise the game, but take it in a direction?

“Hand on heart, I can’t answer that and I think we’re waiting for that to reveal ­itself.’’

AFL boss Steve Hocking says the jury is still out on the AFL’s new rules. Picture: Getty Images

He said anyone who believed they had a handle on the direction of football “may not be watching enough footy’’.

“The jury is out and it will be for a little while yet,’’ he said.

“Clubs are actually working out what will happen, they will actually spend time analysing what everyone’s doing and learn from one another.

“What we tried to do was shift that bubble at the 50m arc and we’ve done that, it’s probably been pushed right back to the centre of the ground, but what’s happening, at times, is they are not getting beyond that, but at times they are and they’re not finishing with goals.’’

Hocking said the immediate future excited him because of how coaches will devise new strategies.

“Over time things reveal themselves and change happens, and it happens right throughout a season,” he said.

“I use Malcolm Blight’s analogy; it’s a marathon and not a sprint, and these clubs will be working on a whole host of different strategies over the coming weeks and months.’’

Hocking says West Coast’s game style has contributed to the way the game is being played. Picture: AFL Media/Getty Images

Hocking refused to buy into supporter backlash over the rules and, while acknowledging there were teams who played slow, said there had been plenty of close games, only Carlton had not won yet, and individuals were kicking bags of goals.

Hocking is confident the new rules will have a positive impact. And the ability of teams to get back into games has been noted.

“That’s one of the pleasing things that’s come out of the changes,” he said. “The game is now up for grabs much later.

“We get heavily focused on the scoring aspect, but this has been really positive.’’

Originally published as AFL boss Steve Hocking says jury still out on new rules