Rule Changes for 2016

[clanger]

The SANFL will introduce a cap of 50 rotations per game and award a free kick for a possession which goes out of bounds without being touched, for next season in a bid to reduce congestion and spread the game.

In the past seven seasons, rotations at league level have soared from an average of just 34 per match to a staggering 90 in 2015.

As a result, the SA Football Commission has endorsed the SANFL Laws of the Game Committee’s proposal, which has been developed using internal and external data during a lengthy process of consideration across the past two years.

‘’The primary concern and motivation of the Laws of the Game Committee was to address the call to make the game more attractive as a spectacle, which includes the spreading of players on the field to reduce congestion,’’ SANFL General Manager of Football Adam Kelly said, noting scoring rates have also dropped significantly from 208 points per game in 2006 to 152 in 2015.

Under the new rotation cap, teams will also be able to interchange players during quarter-time and half-time breaks, effectively giving them 59 rotations per match.

According to SANFL statistics, stoppages have now reached an all-time high of 108 per match, with throw-ins also reaching a record 35 per game.

Alarmingly, the data also suggests that on average, each stoppage creates another 1.4 stoppages.

Woodville-West Torrens coach Michael Godden, a member of the SANFL Laws of the Game Committee, said a cap on rotations was the best way to address the concerning trends.

‘’The pain felt by most teams when you lose a player early in games is exaggerated by the amounts of rotations and freshness of players coming on to the ground,’’ noted Godden.

‘’Two ways to fix that is to add another player to the bench or a substitute, which I think most people are not comfortable with.

‘’Or the other way is to reduce rotations and see whether that can create a more even playing field, particularly when you lose a player early in a match.’’

Declaring clubs would be able to adjust to the proposal, Godden noted keeping rotations under 50 would only be rewinding numbers back to the levels recorded in 2011.

‘’What we have to understand and be really clear with is that we would only be going back to 2011 levels,’’ said Godden.

‘’Everyone was pretty happy with the game in 2012 when Norwood won its first (of three) premierships.

‘’I sat back and watched the 2006 Grand Final and I would be guessing there would have been 20-25 rotations in that game. And the first quarter of that match in particular was an outstanding game to watch so I don’t think people should get too spooked by it.’’

Another by-product of the cap would be seeing the league’s star players remain on the ground for longer periods of the match.

‘’With the capped rotations, you would like to think that the better players will spend more time on the ground,’’ Godden said.

Retiring North Adelaide captain Greg Gallman, also a member of the SANFL Laws of the Game Committee, is confident players would adjust to a cap of 50 rotations.

‘’It’s not like we’ve had such high rotations for an extremely long time as (SANFL) players,’’ Gallman said.

‘’The stats show you only have to go back a few years and the average (rotations) was only around that 55 mark.

‘’Players are always able to adjust. It will reward the players who are better at the longer efforts with their running.’’

Gallman agreed with Godden in predicting a rotation cap would soften the impact of losing a player early in a match.

‘’The best thing would be that if you do end up losing a player – it won’t be as greater restriction in that you will still use the same amount of interchanges as the other team,’’ Gallman said.

In another rule change for 2016, a free kick will be paid against the team which kicks or handballs the ball out of bounds without it being touched, even if it bounces in front of the boundary line.

A player who spoils the ball, picks up the ball and ushers it over the line or taps the ball over the line will not be penalised provided that the action is not determined to be deliberate out of bounds.

Kelly said this rule change would encourage teams to attack through the corridor in another attempt to boost scoring and to reduce stoppage numbers.

‘’Through the sample of games that we tracked the occurrence of possession going out of bounds and resulting in a free kick there was on average four occurrences per game, this rule will result in less stoppages, multiplied by the evidence of repeat stoppages,’’ Kelly said.

The 2015 SANFL Laws of the Game Committee was chaired by SA Football Commissioner Dion McCaffrie and included Godden, Gallman, SANFL General Manager Football Adam Kelly, outgoing SANFL Football Services Manager Matt Duldig, SANFL Umpiring Manager Shane Harris and Central District chief executive Kris Grant.

http://www.sanfl.com.au/news/sanfl_news/3224/

[FlyingHigh]

Don't mind the rotations cap, but would like to see an extra 10 if 20-25 degrees, another 10 if over this temp. Interesting Godden mentioned the 2006 GF, would like to know how many rotations the Eagles had in 2005 when it was 27 degrees and was such a noticeable plan because it wasn't the norm back then.

Not a great fan of the out-of-bounds rule change, but see how we go I suppose.

[NFC]

I was about to absolutely cut sick at the last touch fee kick rule. But reading about how it applies to only a kick and handball I SUPPOSE I could live with it. Still think it's pretty silly, but that sample stat (how much did thy actually watch to call it a sample?) suggests it's not going to changes things too drastically.

[Dutchy]

Dont like the out of bounds rule, the ball isn't round, you could kick a ball 15m inside the line towards a team mate but it lands just short bounces 90 degrees and out of play and a free kick.

Just be tougher on the deliberate out of bounds, might get a bit frustrating but would be better IMO

[on the rails]

Spot on Dutchy.

[The Dark Knight]

Dont like the out of bounds rule, the ball isn't round, you could kick a ball 15m inside the line towards a team mate but it lands just short bounces 90 degrees and out of play and a free kick.

Just be tougher on the deliberate out of bounds, might get a bit frustrating but would be better IMO

I thought of the same scenario Dutchy. What a f**king ridiculous rule change, yeah it might result in less stoppages and it might not actually happen that much but it makes playing the game harder and more frustrating.

[Brodlach]

Hate it!

[Wedgie]

Love both rules, well done SANFL!

[mal]

Something similar to this out of bounds rule was used in the 1930s in the SANFL ?
I reckon it did, and it co-incided with higher scores being kicked when introduced

[Brodlach]

Something similar to this out of bounds rule was used in the 1930s in the SANFL ?
I reckon it did, and it co-incided with higher scores being kicked when introduced

Did you enjoy the rule back then

[Aerie]

I am surprised they don't just follow all AFL rules and interpretations including 4 on the bench.

[VALE PARK]

It's not rocket science,
crowds are staying away in droves due to lack of goals and the old highlights of the one on one contests.
Bring back the exciting forwards kicking goals,
crowds will turn up and support the clubs,
their patronage is vital for most clubs solvency.

[Jim05]

It's not rocket science,
crowds are staying away in droves due to lack of goals and the old highlights of the one on one contests.
Bring back the exciting forwards kicking goals,
crowds will turn up and support the clubs,
their patronage is vital for most clubs solvency.

Crowds are staying away because of the two AFL reserves sides not because of how attractive the game is. Fix that first

[saintal]

Happy with the interchange cap. There is no need for a Nick Liddle type to be running to the bench 2 minutes into a quarter as happens now.

With the out of bounds rule, if it's only occurring on average 4 times in 80 minutes of footy (that stat seems very low) as the article suggests, why bother bringing in a rule to curtail it?

[SpionKopster]

Wasn't aware Michael Godden was on the Laws of the Game committee. Juggling his time well then with this, coaching and his role on the Umpiring commitee as well.

[Jimmy]

Dont like the out of bounds rule, the ball isn't round, you could kick a ball 15m inside the line towards a team mate but it lands just short bounces 90 degrees and out of play and a free kick.

Just be tougher on the deliberate out of bounds, might get a bit frustrating but would be better IMO

I thought of the same scenario Dutchy. What a f**king ridiculous rule change, yeah it might result in less stoppages and it might not actually happen that much but it makes playing the game harder and more frustrating.

I don't mind it. Might make players go long to packs more and be more accurate with their passes. I usually hate change but am on the bandwagon.

[therisingblues]

I think a free handpass rather than free kick, for a ball that goes out of play.

[whufc]

Love how the SANFL are classing it as there initive

Pigs arse, bet we are just trialling it for the AFL

Also love the rule we are changing that happens roughly around 4 times a game wtf is the point

[Booney]

Is it April 1st? One rule is designed to slow the game down by limiting fresh players coming on and off the ground and the other rule is designed to keep the ball in play more and moving faster.

Will the interchange rule not further assist the better fitness levels of AFL listed players, or will it be the opposite, with AFL listed players usually looking for a rest every 83 seconds?

How can anyone see the implementation of both rules at the same time as a good thing?

As for changing rules to limit the "unfairness" to a side who loses a player early in the game through injury is just bollocks. Just bollocks.

The out of bounds rule the most ridiculous thing I've seen for a while. Perhaps some cones out on the ground to help players know their position, or someones Dad in the forward pocket telling them where to run.

[CENTURION]

the out of bounds rule is bloody stupid.
the interchange rule is a step in the right direction, the game is too fast and scrambly, therefore ugly, nothing wrong with slowing it down slightly, might keep players in their positions more, more one on one footy, the way it used to be, not a mad free for all like it is now, it's like watching the Under 10's play sometimes!
might reduce injuries too.