Richmond coach Damien Hardwick says the AFL must be careful what it wishes for with its rule changes

THE AFL seems to think more goals will make the game better. But as Richmond coach Damien Hardwick points out, more goals also means more blowouts. It’s is because of that he has a strong warning for AFL HQ.

Damien Hardwick has had his say on AFL rule changes. Picture: AAP Images

“BE careful what you wish for.”

It may be sage advice from Richmond premiership coach Damien Hardwick amid an avalanche of discussion around the AFL’s mission to rid the game of congestion close to goal.

If AFL rule-maker Steve Hocking thinks briefing — this week and next — the six Victorian coaches yet to be brought up to speed on the proposed changes — may swing the vote in City Hall’s favour then the football operations boss might have another thing coming.

Hocking wants to “increase the bubble” by implementing changes, including starting positions at stoppages and returning the goal square to its former 18m glory — circa 1860s.

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The aim is to create space, make it easier for teams to transition the ball, and ultimately kick bigger scores.

But as far as Hardwick is concerned the “bubble” has burst.

After clipping some easy questions off the pads and to the boundary, on a range of topics including Maddie’s Match, St Kilda and “ducking”, the premiership coach vented his frustration about the war on congestion.

“You’ve got to be careful what you wish for,” Hardwick said.

Damien Hardwick isn’t a big fan of rule changes. Picture: AAP Images

“If you want to see more goals, we’re going to see more blowouts so be very careful about how we structure things up.

“We value as coaches three facets of the game: offence, defence and contest — and if we want to establish one phase over more than the others then the better sides are going to get better.

“I’m all for the progression of the game and what that looks like but we’ve also got a very, very good competition at the moment.

“We’re at Round 18 and there’s a lot of sides vying for top eight and top four spots so we’ve got to be careful which way we go.”

Hardwick makes a salient point.

He watches hours of vision each and every day, along with his 17 other senior coaches and the innumerable assistants, opposition analysts and the like.

Begs the question, how good a poker player is Hardwick?

If his assumption is right then Hocking may as well start engraving next year’s premiership cup, starting with RICH … you catch my drift.

Richmond is head and shoulders the best in the competition right now, and especially where the “bubble” is most at play — the hallowed MCG.

“I think we watch more footy than most people,” Hardwick bristled.

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It too could explain why the AFL is hellbent on change, as a big, better and stronger Richmond not only sells memberships, merchandise but puts food on the table of Punt Rd traders.

And in the same vein, why astute Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley, who describes zones as a “blight” on the game, might be wary of the move.

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