TSL reduces game time for the COVID-19 shortened season

A late rule change has seen the Tasmanian State League and two other local leagues follow the AFL to make games faster and safer for players.

TSL players LR Jack McCulloch, Lachlan Gadomski, Grace Mitchell, Alice Raspin, Finlay Poke and Bryce Walsh ahead of the season commencing with shortened quarters next month. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

THE TSL has followed the AFL by implementing a 20 per cent reduction in game time for the State League in its coronavirus compacted season starting next month.

Like the AFL, TSL games will consist of 16-minute quarters plus time-on.

As the TSL clubs wait for the roster to be released in the next few days, AFL Tasmania said reduced quarters was for the safety of players.

“Player welfare is at the forefront of our considerations and with an interrupted preparation for a season, our recommendation to everyone has been to strongly consider reduced game time for the benefit of player welfare,” said AFL Tasmania CEO Trish Squires.

MORE:

• TSL roster to start a week earlier - coach says season can't come fast enough
• The day Tasmania humbled the Big V - Part One
• The day Tasmania humbled the Big V - Part Two

“The TSL, TSLW and Development League will all have a 20 per cent reduction in game time and we see this as a necessary step to ensure we are looking after the players.”

The players were not asked officially about the change but clubs say they are all on-board.

“It’s about player welfare and safety, so we support it,” said North Hobart president Craig Martin.

“The players haven’t done what would normally be the amount of conditioning they would need to play 120 minutes.

“So it’s a very sensible to adopt the same position that the AFL to reduce the risk of injury.

“We fully support any measure to reduce the risk of injury to our players and wear and tear on the body.”

North Hobart president Craig Martin. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

TSL players can still expect quarters to last between 23-25 minutes.

“Even though AFL games are 16 minutes plus time-on, some of the games have gone to 100 minutes so our guys should expect it to be the same here,” Martin said.

The TSL season was initially slated to start on July 18, but it is likely to kick off a week earlier to reduce the need for as many midweek games. The TSLW starts on July 18.