AFL to crackdown on number of club officials allowed on interchange bench on match-days
The AFL will limit the number of club officials allowed on the interchange bench next season and could make the rules even tighter in coming years for occupational health and safety reasons and to benefit the TV audience.
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The AFL has staged a match-day crackdown on personnel in the interchange area, insisting that the 18 clubs streamline their numbers cluttering up the sidelines.
Having already restricted the on-field use of runners and water carriers/trainers from next year, it is understood AFL football operations manager Steve Hocking has informed clubs that it will slash the interchange access for officials from 16 per club to 12 in 2019.
There is even the prospect of further reductions in future seasons.
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The excess number of officials allowed access to the interchange bench during a game has long been a bugbear for Hocking.
Clubs have been told that part of the reason for the cutbacks involve occupational health and safety, though he believes staffers who don’t need to be there are also proving an eyesore for those watching live or on television.
Some of those who are granted access to the interchange area include club football operations managers, interchange stewards, doctors, physiotherapists and other conditioning staff.
The changes will be made by the JLT Community Series next year.
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They won’t impact the number of water carriers/trainers around the ground, though it has already been announced that they won’t be allowed on the ground during general play.
Runners have also been under fire and may now only enter the playing surface after a goal has been kicked and must depart before play recommences.
Originally published as AFL to crackdown on number of club officials allowed on interchange bench on match-days
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