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AFL Daily: AFL ceasfire on rule changes, rolling footy news for Wednesday July 24, 2019
The AFL has declared most of this year's nine rule changes a success as it examines a possible mid-season trade period, the score review and reveals a novel approach to possible rule changes for next season.
The AFL has declared a ceasefire on rule changes
Buoyed by the “state of the game”, AFL football operations manager Steve Hocking today hailed most of the recent changes successful.
The AFL introduced nine rule changes this season alone, including 6-6-6 starting positions and allowing defenders to play on from a behind without kicking the ball to themselves in the goalsquare.
“We made a lot of change this year and all of our metrics show the game is better for it,” Hocking said.
“If you have a look at how many games are decided late … in the dying seconds of a game - there is 76 per cent of game time spent within a two-goal margin right across the 2019 season.
“All of those things lead to a really exciting competition.”
Hocking also rejected a report the league wanted to cut the number of tackles in games.
“I can categorically say on camera that’s not going to happen on my watch,” Hocking said.
“There will not be any eradication of tackling, at any time in the future, at any stage in AFL football.”
The AFL Competition Committee, which includes Collingwood president Eddie McGuire, Richmond president Peggy O’Neal, Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan and Players’ Association executive Brett Murphy, canvassed a range of topics behind closed doors at league headquarters.
Hocking said talking points included a revamped score review system, injury prevention, a possible mid-season trade period, the use of runners and how best to “declutter” the pre-season.
Fagan implored the committee to scale back limitations on runners.
“Chris made his thoughts known to us, it was respectful the discussion that went on,” Hocking said.
“It’s worth saying, where runners were at last season was extreme (and) where the runners are at this year is extreme as well, we just need to find some middle ground.”
A suitable bunker review system, not the finished product, will be in place in time for the finals.
“We’ve got about five weeks to get that up and running, so plenty of pressure.”
A streamlined pre-season, it is hoped, could reduce the risk and rate of player injuries.
“If you don’t have players completing 80 per cent of load during the pre-season all you end up doing is chasing a lot of load,” Hocking said.
“Off the back of that you can break players through the season.
“It is small steps … but we think that part of it is something we want to address.”
Updates
– Gilbert Gardiner
Richmond president Peggy O’Neal wants AFL player movement “bedded down” before the introduction of a mid-season trade window.
O’Neal today called on the AFL to also consider the “cultural change” of players changing allegiances in-season.
The AFL will forge ahead with discussion around a mid-season trade period following the success of the supplemental selection period and mid-season draft.
Of the 28 players selected outside the national draft, 16 have already debuted, including Tigers cult hero and Rising Star fancy Sydney Stack.
“There was no decision made today but that (a mid-season trade period) is certainly one of the things you want to look at, the fabric of what our game’s about,” O’Neal said.
“There’s been increased player movement, opportunity and flexibility, so that’s been happening, we might want to see that bedded down before we take the next step and we want to make sure there is no unintended consequences.”
AFL football operations boss Steve Hocking echoed the sentiment after chairing a four-hour Competition Committee briefing.
“If you have a look at the flexibility of player movement … it’s been a good thing,” Hocking said.
“It’s just from here whether we open it up further, mid-season trade was certainly talked about.
“It’s where that’s placed I think will be of real interest to the clubs and that’s certainly the evidence and discussion that’s taken place today.”
AFL moving slowly on mid-season trades
– Gilbert Gardiner
Richmond president Peggy O’Neal wants AFL player movement “bedded down” before the introduction of a mid-season trade window.
O’Neal today called on the AFL to also consider the “cultural change” of players changing allegiances in-season.
The AFL will forge ahead with discussion around a mid-season trade period following the success of the supplemental selection period and mid-season draft.
Of the 28 players selected outside the national draft, 16 have already debuted, including Tigers cult hero and Rising Star fancy Sydney Stack.
“There was no decision made today but that (a mid-season trade period) is certainly one of the things you want to look at, the fabric of what our game’s about,” O’Neal said.
“There’s been increased player movement, opportunity and flexibility, so that’s been happening, we might want to see that bedded down before we take the next step and we want to make sure there is no unintended consequences.”
AFL football operations boss Steve Hocking echoed the sentiment after chairing a four-hour Competition Committee briefing.
“If you have a look at the flexibility of player movement … it’s been a good thing,” Hocking said.
“It’s just from here whether we open it up further, mid-season trade was certainly talked about.
“It’s where that’s placed I think will be of real interest to the clubs and that’s certainly the evidence and discussion that’s taken place today.”
Fremantle coach Ross Lyon has used a fraudulent health technology company from the US to shut down rumours surrounding a possible departure from the Dockers.
Lyon is contracted to Fremantle until the end of the 2020 season and Dockers president Dale Alcock has already declared the club won’t offer the veteran a coach an extension this year.
The situation means Lyon can either take the risk of staying at Fremantle and hoping for better results next year in a bid to earn a new deal, or seek the safety of a fresh start elsewhere.
The 52-year-old has been linked with a sensational move back to St Kilda, while Carlton and North Melbourne are other clubs who are yet to appoint a head coach for next year.
Lyon has previously stated he is committed to staying at the Dockers, and he again declared that position when he fronted the media on Wednesday. As for the so-called agendas against him?
“It’s all noise. It’s all hyperbole. It’s got more froth than Theranos,” Lyon said.
“I’m not going to indulge in hypotheticals. I’m clearly committed here, and I’m enjoying my time.”
For those who aren’t familiar with Theranos, it was a US company that falsely claimed it had devised a revolutionary blood test system that only needed very small amounts of blood. The company, which raised $700 million from private market investors, was liquidated last year, and its founder is now facing criminal fraud charges.
Lyon said he wasn’t paying attention to the outside noise and rumours.
“Look, there’s lots of agendas being run,” Lyon said.
“There’s agendas to move me on and get me out of the club. Apparently there’s noise that I’m required in Melbourne.
“I’m committed to my contract. I’m enjoying my time here. I’m really close to Nathan (Fyfe) and the leadership group.”
Lyon isn’t fazed that Fremantle isn’t offering him a contract extension this year.
“The term was to the end of 2020. That’s what both parties committed to,” Lyon said.
“You’re making a number of assumptions – a) that I want to continue to AFL coach, b) that I want to coach here, and c) that I need to coach.
“I’m not here to talk any more hypotheticals because it’s actually getting boring, and it’s taking away from the job at hand, which is coaching.”
Lyon is optimistic both Fyfe (infected elbow) and Rory Lobb (shoulder) will be fit to play in Sunday’s crunch clash with the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium.
– AAP
Lyon's weird response to coach rumours
Fremantle coach Ross Lyon has used a fraudulent health technology company from the US to shut down rumours surrounding a possible departure from the Dockers.
Lyon is contracted to Fremantle until the end of the 2020 season and Dockers president Dale Alcock has already declared the club won’t offer the veteran a coach an extension this year.
The situation means Lyon can either take the risk of staying at Fremantle and hoping for better results next year in a bid to earn a new deal, or seek the safety of a fresh start elsewhere.
The 52-year-old has been linked with a sensational move back to St Kilda, while Carlton and North Melbourne are other clubs who are yet to appoint a head coach for next year.
Lyon has previously stated he is committed to staying at the Dockers, and he again declared that position when he fronted the media on Wednesday. As for the so-called agendas against him?
“It’s all noise. It’s all hyperbole. It’s got more froth than Theranos,” Lyon said.
“I’m not going to indulge in hypotheticals. I’m clearly committed here, and I’m enjoying my time.”
For those who aren’t familiar with Theranos, it was a US company that falsely claimed it had devised a revolutionary blood test system that only needed very small amounts of blood. The company, which raised $700 million from private market investors, was liquidated last year, and its founder is now facing criminal fraud charges.
Lyon said he wasn’t paying attention to the outside noise and rumours.
“Look, there’s lots of agendas being run,” Lyon said.
“There’s agendas to move me on and get me out of the club. Apparently there’s noise that I’m required in Melbourne.
“I’m committed to my contract. I’m enjoying my time here. I’m really close to Nathan (Fyfe) and the leadership group.”
Lyon isn’t fazed that Fremantle isn’t offering him a contract extension this year.
“The term was to the end of 2020. That’s what both parties committed to,” Lyon said.
“You’re making a number of assumptions – a) that I want to continue to AFL coach, b) that I want to coach here, and c) that I need to coach.
“I’m not here to talk any more hypotheticals because it’s actually getting boring, and it’s taking away from the job at hand, which is coaching.”
Lyon is optimistic both Fyfe (infected elbow) and Rory Lobb (shoulder) will be fit to play in Sunday’s crunch clash with the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium.
– AAP
– Gilbert Gardiner
The AFL has listened to fans and declared a ceasefire on potential on-field rule changes.
Buoyed by the “state of the game”, AFL football operations manager Steve Hocking said it is time to allow the raft of changes already implemented to bed down before consideration is given to further adjustments.
Hocking hailed most recent changes, which includes the 6-6-6 starting positions and allowing defenders to play on quickly after a behind is scored, as successful.
“We made a lot of change this year and all of our metrics show the game is better for it,” Hocking said.
“If you have a look at how many games are decided late there’s been many games this year whereby in the dying seconds of a game the game is being decided.
“There is 76 per cent of game time spent within a two-goal margin right across the '19 season.
“All of those things lead to a really exciting competition … most of the work we’re doing as a committee is based around off-field.”
The AFL competition committee spent more than four hours behind closed doors at league headquarters discussing a range of topics, including the score review, a potential mid-season trade period, the use of runners, how to best “declutter” pre-season and injury prevention.
More to come …
AFL hails 'successful' rule changes
– Gilbert Gardiner
The AFL has listened to fans and declared a ceasefire on potential on-field rule changes.
Buoyed by the “state of the game”, AFL football operations manager Steve Hocking said it is time to allow the raft of changes already implemented to bed down before consideration is given to further adjustments.
Hocking hailed most recent changes, which includes the 6-6-6 starting positions and allowing defenders to play on quickly after a behind is scored, as successful.
“We made a lot of change this year and all of our metrics show the game is better for it,” Hocking said.
“If you have a look at how many games are decided late there’s been many games this year whereby in the dying seconds of a game the game is being decided.
“There is 76 per cent of game time spent within a two-goal margin right across the '19 season.
“All of those things lead to a really exciting competition … most of the work we’re doing as a committee is based around off-field.”
The AFL competition committee spent more than four hours behind closed doors at league headquarters discussing a range of topics, including the score review, a potential mid-season trade period, the use of runners, how to best “declutter” pre-season and injury prevention.
More to come …
– Scott Gullan
Mabior Chol has quickly won over the Richmond faithful but it seems there is more to the rookie sensation that just his smooth moves on the field.
Chol has a wicked sense of humour and a love of practical jokes which he unleashed on teammate Sydney Stack earlier this year.
Knowing that Stack's head would be spinning when he arrived at Punt Rd, Chol decided he was a prime candidate for some "media" harassment.
To execute the prank Chol pretended to be the Herald Sun football writer Jon Ralph.
“Sydney was new to the club and a few of the boys and myself decided to go with the prank. I went, ‘Let’s go, I’ll pretend like I’m Jon Ralph and I want to do an interview with him’," Chol explained.
"I text him about it and he didn’t get back to me and then I just kept going with it."
Stack freaked out and told list manager Blair Hartley, he then got the club's media department to contact Ralph who naturally proclaimed his innocence.
It didn't take long for the detective work of the Tigers hierarchy to figure out what had actually happened.
"Stacky got his phone out and Blair started calling the number which was my number," Chol said.
"It was on my day off and they called me and I copped a spray from Blair. I thought it was funny but Blair wasn’t too happy with it."
Elliott back, Goldsack in mix for Pies
– Nick Smart
Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley says forward Jamie Elliott will play in Friday night’s blockbuster against Richmond, with defensive pair Matthew Scharenberg and Tyson Goldsack both “in the mix" to return.
Goldsack is yet to play a senior game this season, but could find himself brought in for one of the biggest games of the season to date.
“He’s around the mark and he’s played back in defence in the VFL and has had a fairly solid four to six weeks,” Buckley said.
“He’s getting up to speed.”
Fellow defender Scharenberg is another under consideration for a recall to join a backline that will need to contain star Tigers Tom Lynch and Jack Riewoldt.
“Shaz played a couple of games a few weeks back and has played pretty good footy in the VFL, so he’s always in the mix for us,” Buckley said.
The Magpies will be coming off a heavy loss to GWS Giants, while the Tigers have won their past four matches.
Buckley said he was under no illusions how tough it will be for his side on Friday night.
“The closer you get to September probably more pointed it becomes,” he said.
“I think on a broad brush, Richmond are playing as good football as any team in the competition at the moment.
“Their offence is through the roof the last four weeks and their defence is holding up as it always has.
“It seems they’ve got momentum and they’re up and about and coming good at the right time of the year.
“It’s as big a challenge as you’re going to face, and for us they don’t get any easier.
“It’s an opportunity for us to test ourselves against a team that’s in really good nick.”
Buckley said veteran Daniel Wells was coming along well in his recovery from a knee injury.
“He’s still got a few hurdles to jump, and he’s probably ahead of schedule,” he said.
“To come back from a PCL injury in the same season is a leap, but he’s doing everything right and giving himself a chance.”
The Magpies coach also said he would be looking for forward Mason Cox to provide more "aerial contests" if selected to face Richmond.
“I understand the conversation and the commentary around his performance, but he is one of a few of us that need to play their role better and contribute better to supporting the other blokes being able to play well also," Buckley said.
Stack the victim of hilarious Chol troll
– Scott Gullan
Mabior Chol has quickly won over the Richmond faithful but it seems there is more to the rookie sensation that just his smooth moves on the field.
Chol has a wicked sense of humour and a love of practical jokes which he unleashed on teammate Sydney Stack earlier this year.
Knowing that Stack's head would be spinning when he arrived at Punt Rd, Chol decided he was a prime candidate for some "media" harassment.
To execute the prank Chol pretended to be the Herald Sun football writer Jon Ralph.
“Sydney was new to the club and a few of the boys and myself decided to go with the prank. I went, ‘Let’s go, I’ll pretend like I’m Jon Ralph and I want to do an interview with him’," Chol explained.
"I text him about it and he didn’t get back to me and then I just kept going with it."
Stack freaked out and told list manager Blair Hartley, he then got the club's media department to contact Ralph who naturally proclaimed his innocence.
It didn't take long for the detective work of the Tigers hierarchy to figure out what had actually happened.
"Stacky got his phone out and Blair started calling the number which was my number," Chol said.
"It was on my day off and they called me and I copped a spray from Blair. I thought it was funny but Blair wasn’t too happy with it."
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