John Worsfold pushing to have interchange rotations capped at 60 to open up the game

THERE will be no rule changes in the AFL this season but Essendon coach John Worsfold says congestion is an issue and the game will open up if interchange rotations were slashed.

Bombers coach John Worsfold says congestion is an issue in the game. Picture: Getty Images

ESSENDON coach John Worsfold says the aesthetics of football would improve if the AFL slashed interchange rotations to 60 per team.

The AFL has for the first time in recent memory decided against introducing any rule changes or interpretations to help the game flow.

But Worsfold believes congestion in the game is an issue as clubs attempt to clog midfields and stack the corridor with numbers.

AIMING HIGH: WORSFOLD FLAGS RISE AT ESSENDON

FEEDBACK: WHAT DID CLUBS THINK OF AFLX?

Worsfold, starting his side’s pre-season campaign against Richmond in Wangaratta on Saturday, says a drastically reduced interchange — which was first capped at 120 in 2014 and then reduced to 90 for the 2016 season — would help.

The AFL has gone through one of the lowest scoring periods since the 1960s, with stoppage numbers high.

“I have a view it would open up the game more if we reduced the interchange numbers,” Worsfold told the Herald Sun.

“I would be more than comfortable if that pulled back to 60 and we had a look at how that looked. Ninety seems to be working OK, that is one of the things the AFL is reluctant to change.

John Worsfold wants interchange rotations capped at 60. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

“But I am more than comfortable that reducing those numbers wouldn’t affect the game ... and would open it up.

“Overall the game does look congested and we have patches that get locked down, but overall we are still seeing brilliant footy and I like how tight the competition is.”

But Sydney coach John Longmire says a cut in interchange would hurt the longevity of players given the physical toll.

“I understand there is some discussion about the congestion in the game,” he said.

“That will evolve. I am prepared to be open-minded with congestion, but I am not sure if 60 interchanges is the way to fix it.

“Once you get to a certain level of expectation with players, my concern would be the longevity of their careers and making sure they could get from season to season.

“It’s a really tough game. For a game to go for as long as it does and for them to work as hard as they do for such a long season, we have to be mindful of the players’ longevity in the game.

“That should be at the forefront of discussions.”

Originally published as John Worsfold pushing to have interchange rotations capped at 60 to open up the game