TonyK
CibbuanoCoaches criticise new interchange system
May 19th 2008 00:33
SYDNEY coach Paul Roos has labelled the new interchange rules as a blight on the game.
Several other clubs have also expressed concern that that the outcome of matches could be decided by delays caused by "trivial" aspects of the controversial new rules, trialled for the first time on the weekend.
The overhaul of the interchange system came in the wake of the Swans briefly having 19 players on the field in the last term in the draw against the Kangaroos in round six.
Roos said he agreed with the AFL's overhaul to ensure teams did not have 19 players on the ground, but it was just as embarrassing for the code to see too few players on the ground because of the overly complicated changes.
Clubs now have to nominate which of their players is about to be interchanged and a slip of paper must pass between club officials and the AFL's interchange steward before the change can be made.
Under the new rules, a free-kick and 50m penalty never backward of the centre will be applied for breaches, including having 19 men on the ground for a split second, making a change before being given approval by the AFL interchange steward, or for crossing outside the appropriate area.
Roos believed the paperwork was unenessary.
"It is a bit of a blight on the game. You don't see them in the NBA handing over sheets, or in the NFL handing over sheets," Roos said.
"This is the only game I know in the world that you actually have to hand over a bit of paper before you are allowed on the playing surface, so it seems ridiculous to me but obviously I don't run the AFL.
"If it is 19 versus 18 it should be a significant free-kick, but it is ridiculous you have to go through so much protocol to get players on and off the ground. All we want to see is an 18 versus 18 competition - who cares if a number four is coming off for number six and number five for number three.
On Sunday Roos said "between half a dozen and 20" times there was 17 players versus 18, or 18 versus 16.
He said it affected match-ups, because players were sometimes delayed by the paperwork from running on with their designated opponent.
The rule was also slammed by Richmond coach Terrry Wallace, Collingwood’s Mick Malthouse and Brisbane’s Leigh Matthews durinng round eight.
Because of a hold-up in paperwork, Geelong at one point had only 16 players on the field in their match against Richmond at the MCG on Saturday.
Several other clubs have also expressed concern that that the outcome of matches could be decided by delays caused by "trivial" aspects of the controversial new rules, trialled for the first time on the weekend.
The overhaul of the interchange system came in the wake of the Swans briefly having 19 players on the field in the last term in the draw against the Kangaroos in round six.
Roos said he agreed with the AFL's overhaul to ensure teams did not have 19 players on the ground, but it was just as embarrassing for the code to see too few players on the ground because of the overly complicated changes.
Clubs now have to nominate which of their players is about to be interchanged and a slip of paper must pass between club officials and the AFL's interchange steward before the change can be made.
Under the new rules, a free-kick and 50m penalty never backward of the centre will be applied for breaches, including having 19 men on the ground for a split second, making a change before being given approval by the AFL interchange steward, or for crossing outside the appropriate area.
Roos believed the paperwork was unenessary.
"It is a bit of a blight on the game. You don't see them in the NBA handing over sheets, or in the NFL handing over sheets," Roos said.
"This is the only game I know in the world that you actually have to hand over a bit of paper before you are allowed on the playing surface, so it seems ridiculous to me but obviously I don't run the AFL.
"If it is 19 versus 18 it should be a significant free-kick, but it is ridiculous you have to go through so much protocol to get players on and off the ground. All we want to see is an 18 versus 18 competition - who cares if a number four is coming off for number six and number five for number three.
On Sunday Roos said "between half a dozen and 20" times there was 17 players versus 18, or 18 versus 16.
He said it affected match-ups, because players were sometimes delayed by the paperwork from running on with their designated opponent.
The rule was also slammed by Richmond coach Terrry Wallace, Collingwood’s Mick Malthouse and Brisbane’s Leigh Matthews durinng round eight.
Because of a hold-up in paperwork, Geelong at one point had only 16 players on the field in their match against Richmond at the MCG on Saturday.
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