TOPIC:

I understand that there is plenty of opposition among the traditionalists about any further farting around with the rules. However, even at this early stage, the new ones introduced this year appear to have had a negative impact on the scoring, instead of the hoped for and predicted opening up of the game.

I see Cometti has suggested one change, which I agree with - kick must travel 25 metres for a mark to be paid.

I would suggest a further one - any kick in your defensive (50 metre) circle which goes backwards, is called play on, unless there is a contested mark.

Yays and nays?

Totally agree with both Jack. The backwards kicking is my major gripe, dont want to stop it just make it play on.
Re the 25m min kick, its currently 15m? from the kicker, I think it should be measured from where the player took the mark, then increase the min kick length to 20 or 25m. 15m from the kicker may only be 5-10m from the man on the mark.

Not sure, SS. Is it from the mark, or where you start to play on?

On a similar note, I am bloody confused about the new kick in after a point rule. I have seen kickers run what it seems is an indeterminate distance before kicking (generally) or hand balling (occasionally). How far can they run, and where does the count start?

The only bad rule I see is "NO PRIOR OPPORTUNITY". Players who handball to a team mate who is under pressure deserve to lose to ball when tackled. Not a ball up. Just dump the rule & reward the tackler.
Another beef is slowing down the play by not letting the player get up..
To even up the scoring pay NINE pts for a fremantle goal..

Kick in rule seems to have just made it more secure to head short to the boundary....game is starting to remind me of soccer in defense with the zones falling back in to the diamond method instead of square and/or the hex...I’m surprised we aren’t seeing teams combine to just flat stick run the ball out straight at the zone on mass with set criss-cross style running drills designed to confuse predators that hold the zone....hate the rule of not having to kick in from the square and reckon it’s only a matter of time before the game transitions to methods that will resemble something like rugby with no offside to restrict running patterns..12 players all on the same page just charging as one....unlike rugby shepherding is allowed within 5 , blocks/screens too if performed fairly.within 5 and you can’t hold a bloke without the ball....deliberate holds as professional free kicks wouldn’t work as the advantage rule is no longer completely up to umps if play is continuous or alternately it’s a 50 metre penalty for impeding. No brainer to me that whilst this rule is in place and you don’t have to kick the ball a well drilled swarm technique would have front half zone defences rendered useless...next thing the back 60 is zoned off and we will find ourselves back to where we are now looking like soccer...bring back the kick in from the square before coaches get to think too hard about it.

It doesnt matter what rule changes the administrators make to improve the attractiveness of the game the modern full time coaches with plenty of time on their hands will find a way to shut it down with more congestion as all they are worried about is keeping their gravy train jobs...they couldnt give a tinkers cuss that it is a terrible look to members/supporters who pay their hard earned to watch it each and every week!
Pity these same full time coaches didnt spend that time on working on an attractive game plan for their teams to kick 20+ goals each week!

Leather Stops wrote: The only bad rule I see is "NO PRIOR OPPORTUNITY". Players who handball to a team mate who is under pressure deserve to lose to ball when tackled. Not a ball up. Just dump the rule & reward the tackler.
Another beef is slowing down the play by not letting the player get up..
To even up the scoring pay NINE pts for a fremantle goal..

What I don’t understand is when a player is on the ground and is pinged, you often see an arm wrapped firmly around his neck. Why is that not a high tackle?
9 points for a goal.....you’re going to get pinged for incorrect disposal by the Freo faithful.