VFL wrap: AFL makes tweak to new anti-density rules

New anti-density rules in the VFL have been met with staunch criticism by a host of senior coaches, and now the AFL has made a decision.

Damien Hardwick was among a host of coaches who called for anti-density rules to be changed. Picture: Getty Images

The AFL has watered down its VFL anti-density rules after listening to coaches who had labelled the new trial rules “laughable” after several weeks of state league football.

The league wrote to the 22 clubs participating in the VFL to tell them it would adjust the rules after strong protests from the coaches including Damien Hardwick, Luke Beveridge, David Teague and Alastair Clarkson.

Previously at every kick-in and boundary throw-in, three players had to re-set inside the 50 metre arc at each end, and one of those pairs had to be within the goalsquare.

Watch the 2021 Toyota AFL Premiership Season. Every match of every round Live on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >

Patrick Dangerfield played for Geelong's VFL side in a practice match. Picture: Nicki Connolly

Now there are no anti-density rules from kick-ins, and at boundary throw-ins only two sets of players have to re-set inside 50 at both ends.

There is no longer any rule which requires players to re-set into the goalsquare.

One AFL captain was heard shouting “shit rule” at one of the VFL practice matches after long delays in re-setting players in those trial matches.

One half lasted as long as 70 minutes amid delays in re-setting players.

The VFL will still police the rule which requires players to re-set at a boundary throw-in, but they have 12 seconds to get back before the ball is thrown up.

Coaches including Alastair Clarkson had complained that their players were not coached on the new rules given many were training at AFL level.

The league had been hopeful the players would quickly adjust but the teething problems were significant.

Hardwick said he believed the AFL and VFL needed to have the same rules.

Hardwick described the rules as ‘laughable’ post-game. Picture: Getty Images

“The challenge for us is just fitting them in and giving them opportunities to play, because the game unfortunately at that lower level, with the rules, is very, very challenging,” the triple premiership coach told reporters.

“It’s hard to prepare them for AFL level. It’s so non-AFL like what we’re seeing at the moment.

“So that’s going to be an enormous challenge for our players - they’re going to have to do top-up running, because it’s nothing like AFL at the minute. The free kicks today at VFL level were laughable.

“We’ve expressed our concerns (to the AFL) so it’s over to them, really. We’re trying to prepare players for the very best competition in the world, I think. We probably need to have a lower league with probably the same rules, I would think.

“I think sanity would prevail at some stage, would it not?”

TOP DRAFT PICK’S DEBUT ON HOLD

Western Bulldogs fans will have to wait a little longer to see Jamarra Ugle-Hagan at AFL level after the star first-year forward suffered a right thumb injury in a VFL practice match on Saturday.

Ugle-Hagan came from the ground during the second quarter and was taken to hospital to have his thumb assessed.

The Western Bulldogs confirmed to the Herald Sun that Ugle-Hagan had dislocated the thumb.

The blow came after last year’s No. 1 draft pick had produced another lively first half in the practice match against Essendon, following a five-goal performance in a reserves scratch match against Collingwood the previous week.

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan posted his injury to social media. Picture: Instagram

Ugle-Hagan took a big contested mark in the opening minutes of the game and kicked two goals in the space of a few minutes during the second quarter.

One of the goals came from a diving mark deep in the forward pocket, with the 18-year-old going on to snap a brilliant goal from the boundary line.

Fellow Bulldogs forward Josh Schache also took no further part in the game after half-time, after injuring his left ankle.

In better news for the Bulldogs, veteran defender Easton Wood played the whole game to put his hand up for a Round 3 recall.

Cody Weightman and Lin Jong impressed for the Bulldogs through the midfield, while Ben Cavarra booted four goals in attack.

Jake Stringer played a full match for Essendon, primarily in a midfield role.

Stringer also floated forward to kick a second-quarter goal.

Easton Wood breaks away for Footscray. Picture: Josie Hayden

PLAYER WATCH

ESSENDON

JAKE STRINGER

Played a full game, after only playing 60 minutes against Box Hill a week earlier in his return from an Achilles injury. Primarily ran through the midfield and typically made his presence felt. Also floated forward to kick one second-quarter goal.

DAVID ZAHARAKIS

Still working his way back to fitness from a knee injury, the veteran midfielder played significant game time but had little impact.

WESTERN BULLDOGS

JAMARRA UGLE-HAGAN

The first-year forward kicked two goals in the space of a few minutes during the second quarter, but departed for the hospital at halftime with a dislocated right thumb which looks set to further push back any AFL debut.

EASTON WOOD

Looks ready to roll for a Round 3 AFL return after playing a full match for Footscray and winning plenty of the footy across halfback. Even floated forward to kick a rare goal in the final term.

BEN CAVARRA

Was one of the Bulldogs’ best and the leading goalkicker on the ground with four majors as he pushes for more senior games after playing three on debut last season.

RHYLEE WEST

A Round 1 AFL emergency, the midfielder continued to push his case for more senior games with a big performance, capped off with a second-quarter goal.

Jake Stringer returned in the VFL for the Bombers. Picture: Josie Hayden

Picture: Josie Hayden

KEY CAT CLOSING IN ON FIRST GAME OF SEASON

Geelong’s Mitch Duncan is closing in on an Easter Monday return after joining Patrick Dangerfield as part of a star-studded Cats midfield for a VFL practice match on Saturday.

Duncan played the second half of the match against Port Melbourne and got through unscathed in his return from back-to-back calf injuries.

The 29-year-old is hopeful of pushing for a Round 3 return against the Hawks, now needing only a strong week on the training track to put himself in the mix.

“He went really well,” Geelong VFL coach Shane O’Bree told the Sunday Herald Sun.

“He did more running at the end as well, after the game. Now it’s just a matter of Mitch pulling up well and getting a bit more training under his belt this week and then hopefully he’ll be right for Monday week.”

The Cats received last-minute approval from the AFL on Saturday morning to play Dangerfield in the scratch match, just days after he was rubbed out for three weeks by the AFL Tribunal for a bump on Adelaide’s Jake Kelly.

Mitch Duncan is close to returning for Geelong.

The 2016 Brownlow Medal winner played his customary role splitting his time between the midfield and forward line and was on the ground for the majority of game time as Geelong looks to keep him cherry ripe.

“It was a good hitout for him, playing a game of football,” O’Bree said.

“Luckily enough the AFL allowed him to do that to keep match fit and match hardened versus just running around by himself.”

Dropped from Geelong’s AFL side after Round 1, key forward Josh Jenkins bounced back to kick five goals, while Ben Jarvis and rookie Brad Close each booted four majors.