16-a-side among AFL’s bold idea to boost local footy’s battlers amid ‘demographic shift’

The game’s traditional look could be overhauled for battling grassroots leagues, in the AFL’s bid to combat a population shift challenging “the footprint of football right around our country.”

The AFL is exploring new ways to play the game at community level as it combats a demographic shift.

FEWER players on the field, shorter quarters and mergers are on the table for struggling local footy clubs across the state.

AFL executive general manager of game development Rob Auld believes a dramatic demographic shift could force community leagues to rethink the game’s traditional look as clubs battle for numbers.

“One thing footy can’t stop, education systems can’t stop and corporate Australia can’t stop, is there is a demographic shift that’s happening,” Auld said.

“Rural and regional Victoria and Australia is experiencing a movement in population that will continue to challenge the footprint of football right around our country and in Victoria.

“Some of the things that we’re working with leagues (on) is, does it have to be the traditional 21 players, four quarters at 20 minutes plus time-on?

“Can you come back to 16-a-side at 15 minutes (a quarter) to try and prolong the sense of traditional under-18s, into reserves, into seniors? There’s different ways of looking at how we can continue to maintain our presence.”

Auld said the idea had received positive feedback from players.

“I saw a community footy practice match (recently) where they did play 16-a-side reserves, four (quarters) by 15 minutes,” he said.

“It’s surprising the number of players who said if it were like that all the time, (they would) probably stick with it.”

In 16-a-side football, the wing positions are often left vacant.

Salary cap and player points assistance to clubs are avenues being explored alongside the prospect of struggling clubs merging to survive the population shift.

“There’s going to be some instances where clubs will need to be proactive and need to look at joining forces with a club up the road,” Auld said.

“That’s not the option that we are promoting or proactively seeking … but if I’m going to have an honest chat with you, one end of the spectrum is how do we make sure the clubs can be as strong as they can be and are growing?

“Some of those have been in recess and are coming out, like Yea (and) Corowa-Rutherglen.

“It’s just a reality that the broader demographic movement will mean that some clubs will need to explore their options of joining forces with other clubs.”

Corowa-Rutherglen (pictured celebrating a flag in the early 2000s) went into recess ahead of the 2023 Ovens and Murray league season but are back in action this year.

The radical calls follow a raft of changes already brought in at community level, including tackle restrictions in some junior age groups and revised concussion protocols as the local footy season launches this weekend.

Anyone showing symptoms of concussion will be stood down for a minimum of 21 days, increased from the previous mandatory period of 12 days.

Despite the stringent revision, the AFL has shied away from declaring penalties for those who flout the rules.

“What we prefer is to have the confidence in the fact that we’re educating and making people aware of what’s required if you’ve suffered a concussion,” Auld said.

“We’re going to rely on medical advice and appropriate clearance from GPs, so it’s not really for us to sanction their judgement.”