What sort of shape do you think the game of Aussie rules is currently in, given all the new rules?
Over the last few years we have seen a lot of rule changes such as...
1. No hands in the back 2. No diving on the ball 3. Kicking out instantly after a behind
Now we have:
4. No rush behinds 5. No prolonged tackles otherwise it's 50m
Here's my opinion - I guess I'm OK with the first 3... but the last two, which were introduced this year are complete total BS. They are ridiculous. Especially the 50m rule. It stops players from going hard at it... they can't tackle with full conviction because they don't wanna give away a 50m which is a ridiculously harsh penalty. It was already a normal free kick for tackling after they disposed of the ball, but now it's 50m?? WTF??
And the interpretation of this rule by the umpires is all over the shop. 50m here! 50m there!... which we have seen has already determined the results of a few games so far this season.
It's gonna make the game look more like basketball, which ironically is what the AFL and the fans dont want!
What's wrong with leaving the game alone and letting it evolve? or is money more important?
flumpy372009-04-15T04:33:00Z
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I love the rished behind rule - now defenders have to properly defend and play around the goal line is now heaps more entertaining to watch.
I've only just gotten into footy properly this year and I must say it appears to have become a non contact sport! I remember as a kid it was much rougher and far more interesting to watch.
The no rushed behinds rule is crazy, I just don't get it no matter how many times it is explained to me!
And the umpires seem to have become a law unto themselves. The players get done over the dumbest things and given 2 weeks or sent straight to the tribunal for some incidents that are clearly accidents yet who do the umpires report to when they make mistakes? Where is their Monday review and a$$ kicking for blowing a game? I've yet to hear of an ump getting suspended for consistently making bad calls. Apparently they NEVER make bad calls ...
And why do they pick on the good kickers like Fev and Buddy? That game on Sunday was terrible, basically every time Buddy went near the ball he had a call made against him ... (and no I'm not a Hawks supporter) ...
As an American who only gets to watch a couple of AFL games a year, I always liked the free flowing of the game. Someone continues the tackle, but play continued. A stiff shove was simply met with the guy saying "F U" and moving on. If these rules are changing that, I'll still like the game, but it seems to take away some of the uniqueness of the sport. BTW, the no diving on the ball rule seems like complete nonsense. Talk about punishing bravery and hard work.
Our Great Game that We All Love So Much is slowly being turned into a Shambles because:
a. it's is over Governed to the Hilt, i.e. too many Rule changes
b. it's being over Umpired to the Hilt.
However, in the umps defence is the fact is they really don't get much say in the matter!
Anyway, It's about Bloody Time that Demetiou and His Merry Band of Men Slow Down and THINK for FIVE Minutes about the way OUR GAME, "THE PEOPLES GAME" is Headed and Perhaps Run a "CENSUS" on OUR VIEWS and OPINIONS!!!
The next rule changes. 1. No tackling. No bumping. No "getting too close." 2. Throws allowed. No Kicking. 3. Reduce Teams to 7 a side 4. Divide ground into thirds. Goal (semi) circle instead of Goal Square 5. Rectangular ground. Round ball. Hard playing surface 6. Players to wear bibs indicating position. Limit where players can run. 7. Change goals to hoop with a net on a single pole. 8. All players to wear skirts.