New Rules

[The Sleeping Giant]

Is that a bad thing?

[rodney fox]

Possibly the funniest string of comments I've read in a while.

But seriously although we may debate some of the new AFL rules every single year, isn't the aim of it all to evolve our great game with continuous improvement? Wether you like it or not this is what the AFL are doing and I think it's a great thing that the SAAFL get on board to do the same.

Yes there will be some confusion etc but if you want to be left in the dark ages and with player safety a key in their minds surely it can't be that bad.

Sliding rule = get there first and get in front, that form of attacking is surely what everyone wants to see, fast paced footy with a will to always get there first and go as hard as you can.

That's my opinion anyway....

[HH3]

Thats fair enough, but watch all the players that wouldve previously tried to get their legs out of the way just running straight into people on the ground. And if both players keep their feet, there's gonna be more head clashes.

I dont like it.

[Mr Beefy]

Thats fair enough, but watch all the players that wouldve previously tried to get their legs out of the way just running straight into people on the ground. And if both players keep their feet, there's gonna be more head clashes.I dont like it.

Dont forget more deaths

[HH3]

Thats fair enough, but watch all the players that wouldve previously tried to get their legs out of the way just running straight into people on the ground. And if both players keep their feet, there's gonna be more head clashes.I dont like it.

Dont forget more deaths

Yeah more deaths too...My guess is 7 deaths...could be wrong though

[Gatt_Weasel]

lol head down bum up people been doing this for years no deaths yet

[Q.]

There's no documented evidence that the previous rules were a problem at this levelof football. Given that we don't play under a roof on immaculate surfaces, this decision is unfathomable.

[rodney fox]

I know what you're saying HH3 but think about it, if you're in that contest first I will be bumping not sliding and looking to knock you off the ball etc not standing straight up wanting to clash heads.....no one needs death. This brings the bump back in I think to a degree anyway.

If a player gets their first, as a lot do more than me, I will be wrapping them up and going for holding the ball not sliding in to try and take his legs, head or spine out.

Death = Bad

Bump= good

[TheAussieBogan]

This now explains some of the actions of the Flinders Uni ruckmen during last weekends game.

I had no idea that stupid no touching before the ball has been thrown in rule applied to us.

[HH3]

I know what you're saying HH3 but think about it, if you're in that contest first I will be bumping not sliding and looking to knock you off the ball etc not standing straight up wanting to clash heads.....no one needs death. This brings the bump back in I think to a degree anyway.

If a player gets their first, as a lot do more than me, I will be wrapping them up and going for holding the ball not sliding in to try and take his legs, head or spine out.

Death = Bad

Bump= good

In a professional game, this could be a good thing, and Ill reserve my judgement til I see some AFL. But at amateur level, and especialy amateur reserve and C grade sides, its ridiculous to expect blokes to be able to attack the ball the same way. Theres a lot of clumsy footballers knocking around (myself included) and all itll take is a shorter player to try to go shoulder to shoulder with a ruckman for some damage to be done.

I for one dive on the ball a fair bit, being an in and under backman. If its a foot race to a loose ball and the other guys got me for pace, the quickest way to get to the ball is dive from a few feet away while he's steadying to pick it up. I do it often and it works well. I have never injured another player doing it.

Also, the smother is fine. But I would argue that is more dangerous than diving on the ball. Just ask Nathan Brown.

[LaughingKookaburra]

Hypothetical terms if a player slides to smother a ball you are about to kick and makes contact is that a free to the player about to dispose?

[HH3]

Hypothetical terms if a player slides to smother a ball you are about to kick and makes contact is that a free to the player about to dispose?

No coz smothers are still ok. Im glad all amateur league umpires are so good at interpretations. coz this ones gonna cause a lot of problems

[LaughingKookaburra]

Ok I'm being picky here but why is it ok to slide across the front of a bloke who is in kicking action but not ok to slide in to the initial contest. Without stats to back me up ive seen some pretty serious smothering incidents over the years.
Obviously I'm biarsed because sliding in and slowing the game down to my pace has helped me play 200 games and win a couple flags

[HH3]

Ok I'm being picky here but why is it ok to slide across the front of a bloke who is in kicking action but not ok to slide in to the initial contest. Without stats to back me up ive seen some pretty serious smothering incidents over the years.
Obviously I'm biarsed because sliding in and slowing the game down to my pace has helped me play 200 games and win a couple flags

I agree 100% with you.

[Mr Beefy]

[wristwatcher]

Can anyone confirm if the C grade interchange has changed from 7 to 4 this year???

[the milky bar kid]

Exactly the reason this rule is brought in.
I'm not against people diving in over the footy, but when there is already a player poised over the ball to pick it up, they should be protected. Hence we are protecting the one that got to the footy first.
The Alwyn Davey incident is not how the rule should be used. Hopefully the SAAFL umpires can adapt to the more amatuer interpretation whilst still protecting someone on there feet whom is already over the ball.

[Q.]

Again, it will come down to umpire interpretation, and what they deem to be 'forceful' contact.

[blackRoo]

Can anyone confirm if the C grade interchange has changed from 7 to 4 this year???

Still allowed 7 on the bench

[wristwatcher]

Can anyone confirm if the C grade interchange has changed from 7 to 4 this year???

Still allowed 7 on the bench

Excellent. Good to hear. Thats 3 people freaking out every Thursday i wont have to worry about