Results from players survey reveal stars want AFL to leave their game alone

AFL players have resoundingly told the competition’s powerbrokers to leave the game alone and let them play, a survey of the stars reveals. READ THE RESULTS

Dan Hannebery wants the AFL to consult more with the players on rule changes.

PLAYERS have implored the AFL to leave the game alone, rejecting the need for the league to consider radical rule changes.

Almost nine out of 10 players polled in the AFL Players’ Association/Herald Sun annual survey dismissed the need for major reform to tackle congestion.

Given options to free up the game, only 7 per cent supported a reduction in rotations from the current 90 per game, 4 per cent supported zones such as set numbers in the forward 50m at stoppages while just 3 per cent backed a reduction from 18 to 16 players on the field.

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Dan Hannebery wants the AFL to consult more with the players on rule changes.

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COMPARISON: WHO’S THE BEST? 2007 V 2017

A whopping 86 per cent of 700 players who completed the survey said no change was required.

AFLPA chief executive Paul Marsh last night said the message was clear.

“The players believe the game is in good shape and don’t see the need for any fundamental changes to how it’s played or adjudicated,” he told the Herald Sun.

IN REGARD TO BYES

Two (in season)	Two (one in-season, on pre-finals)	One (in-season)
75%	15%	10%

“There’s ongoing frustration with the constant changing of laws of the game, which we think is creating confusion for players, spectators and umpires.”

Sydney star Dan Hannebery said players wanted greater consultation on any future rule changes.

An AFLPA working group is devising a blueprint on competition structure and match rules to be submitted for AFL consideration. Thirteen players from 12 clubs including Hannebery, Carlton’s Sam Docherty, Essendon’s Brendon Goddard and Collingwood’s Brodie Grundy are on the rules panel.

PLAY OUTSIDE AUS OR NZ?

Yes	No
72%	28%

“The players recognise the need for the game to evolve and that rule changes may be required to keep promoting the best characteristics of the sport,” Hannebery said.

“But as the ones putting on the show, we want to play a more active role in the process of changing or introducing a rule and have the chance to trial it in the pre-season competition before it comes into effect.”

IN-SEASON PLAYER MOVEMENT?

Yes	No
48%	52%

54 per cent of players want the bounce retained.

The AFL banned the third man up at ruck contests this season — 24 per cent of players said the move had improved the game and a further 31 per cent were supportive but said the nomination process needed to be improved.

Some 45 per cent said the reform had not improved the game.

HOW IMPORTANT IS THE BOUNCE?

Very important	Somewhat important	Not important	Don't mind either way
32%	22%	17%	29%

The survey conducted between July and August also found:

PLAYERS were split on the effect of tighter deliberate out of bounds interpretations.

MAJORITY support (54 per cent) for umpires to bounce the ball at least at the start of every quarter.

OVERWHELMING support for two in-season byes and further games played outside Australia similar to the Port-Suns game in Shanghai.

THREE out of four players want the afternoon Grand Final to remain, with only 19 per cent supporting a twilight match.

MAKE PLAYER WAGES PUBLIC?

Yes	No
15%	85%

Gold Coast played Port Adelaide at Jiangwan Stadium in Shanghai, China in Round 8. Players are open to more international fixtures in the future.

ONLY 15 per cent would support the public disclosure of player wages.

Geelong midfielder Patrick Dangerfield said two in-season byes was of most benefit to players.

“The Round 23 byes benefits less than half the clubs and is not a genuine break for those about to play finals,” he said.

GRAND FINAL PREFERENCE

Afternoon start	Twilight start	Evening start
75%	19%	6%

“(Two byes) was fixtured in 2014 and we can’t see a reason why it shouldn’t return given the need to importance of player welfare.”

Western Bulldogs defender Easton Wood said the centre bounce was “one of the unique aspects of Aussie rules”, but umpire welfare should be considered.

“If it’s resulting in injury to umpires or creating a barrier to getting the best decision makers into the game, then it should be reviewed,” Wood said.

Recently retired St Kilda midfielder Leigh Montagna said player wages did not belong in the public domain.

HAS THIRD MAN UP BAN IMPROVED THE GAME?

Yes	Yes, but fix nomination process	No
24%	31%	45%

“The scrutiny on players is greater than ever before and this is something that many players are struggling with,” he said.

“Social media has no doubt intensified the focus significantly in recent years and I think making player salaries public would only fuel what can be absolutely brutal coverage at times.”

FOUR FIELD UMPIRES?

Yes	No
50%	50%

***Source for statistics: AFLPA survey of 700 players at all 18 clubs, conducted in July and August