4 man interchange bench for SANFL

[TigerBoss]

Getting this back on track...

AH, the SANFL doesn't have to change a rule every 12 months but when the need arises it should be addressed and seriously considered. I think having a 4th interchange player is something that has to be seriously considered and I really hope it comes into fruition in 2009 and beyond...

I don't.

[Big Phil]

Getting this back on track...

AH, the SANFL doesn't have to change a rule every 12 months but when the need arises it should be addressed and seriously considered. I think having a 4th interchange player is something that has to be seriously considered and I really hope it comes into fruition in 2009 and beyond...

I don't.

I do

And I reckon it will happen for season 2009

[Big Phil]

I wonder whether the decision to go with this new Under 18's format will make mention with the SANFL when deciding on the 4 man interchange. I think going to 4 would be good because it means at least 1 more kid will get an opportunity to play in the under 18's for their club.

[Big Phil]

YES TO 4 MAN INTERCHANGE

[Big Phil]

Thought I would open this old chest nut again, seeing as though we are now in the lead up to season 2010. I still think we need to have 4 on the bench, again, we are the only state league in the nation that doesn't.

Again, it's not about keeping up with the Jones' it's just in the best intereste of the league I reckon. Will increase the standard of play because guys can be rotated that little bit more, will help cover the occassions where 3 injuries occur to the 1 side and it gives another person an opportunity to play league football.

[ca]

Increase all three grades to four in my opinion.

[nickname]

Will increase the standard of play because guys can be rotated that little bit more, will help cover the occassions where 3 injuries occur to the 1 side and it gives another person an opportunity to play league football.

It's the increase in rotations that allows flooding and the rolling cluster, the modern day blights on the game. How can you argue that increases the standard of play?

[Booney]

In some ways, agreed. What it does is it maintains a higher intensity throughout the game and IMO makes the gap between the best and worst greater.

The best teams keep their best fresh and on the park for longer.

[nickname]

In some ways, agreed. What it does is it maintains a higher intensity throughout the game and IMO makes the gap between the best and worst greater.

The best teams keep their best fresh and on the park for longer.

But equally the best players can have half a dozen different players rotated onto them so they always have a fresh tagger. If we limit the use of the interchange then logically players won't be able to cover as much ground, i.e. flood as heavily and for as long.

[Hondo]

Are the level of fitness and time on practice needed to run these AFL flooding schemes achievable for our SANFL players who aren't full time? Or even our coaches who aren't all full time? It's obviously not criticism a of SANFL players that they aren't full time BTW. They just aren't.

It sounds like these AFL tactics take a lot of time to learn and practice and require a level of fitness and conditioning that isn't realistic unless they are full time at it.

So I don't know if our comp would turn into what we see in the AFL.

I don't know if that's a for or against 4 interchange players. Maybe it means we can take the good points out of it but will see less of the bad points?

[spell_check]

Having an extra player to rotate would make it easier to "get those numbers back".

[SANFLnut]

Interesting to see that when the SANFL (in their wisdom?) decided to start the under 18's comp this year they felt that it was important to have four on the bench. I would sugest most league coaches would be in favour of this while some of the admin at clubs who control the purse strings may be against. If it costs clubs an extra payment at league level (say $350) and one at Reserves too ($50) then it is $400 x 20 games (plus finals) then it couls increase the player payments by 8-10K a year. Significant figure or not??

[eaglehaslanded]

Would be more than happy to see a 4 man interchange bench introduced.

[Big Phil]

BUMP...

Good to see this is being bought up again, I'm on Andy Collins' side

From Messenger journo Jeff Crawford...

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/call-to-extend-the-bench/story-fn525un5-1225856296796


Then some opinions of all the league coaches in Jai Bednall's Monday Morning Centreman article...

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/monday-morning-centreman-rd-3/story-e6freckc-1225855200603

EXTEND THE BENCH

WEST Adelaide coach Andrew Collins has called on the SANFL to extend the interchange from three to four players.

Collins said it was time for the competition to convert to the 22-man sides featured in the AFL to protect players from being forced to take the field with injuries.

The Bloods rotated Scott Harding on and off the bench late in their win against Norwood on Friday night despite the Power-listed midfielder clearly being hampered by a lower leg problem.

``We had to put unhealthy players on the park tonight which is putting them at risk,'' Collins said after the game.

``I'll make sure our general manager of football operations Scott Turner and (CEO) Kym Russell continue to drive it.

``I know I'm not the only coach now. I think it will enhance the footy.''

The Bloods situation on Friday night was worsened because Daniel Webb, who also came back on late despite suffering a badly corked thigh, and Shannon Green (concussion) were also injured.

It's not the first time a club has been left without a bench this season.

Norwood was down to 18 fit men in its Round Two loss to South, while North was also severely limited in its rotation against West in Round One.

Collins said an inability to fit an extra player under the salary cap could no longer be used as an excuse to keep a three-man bench.

``There's been concerns about the salary cap for too long. I think most clubs could get a fourth interchange (player) and (stay) under the salary cap.

``We're not talking about $25,000 players. If it's a uniqueness of footy then I'm fine, if that's what the SANFL want to keep.

``(But) if it's about salary cap I know that most clubs would be able to fit a fourth interchange in pretty easy.''

A quick poll of seven SANFL coaches over the weekend indicated mixed support for Collins' proposal.

Daniel Healy and Luke Norman were keen for the change, but Michael Godden, Mark Mickan, Ron Fuller and Roy Laird were reasonably happy with the status quo.

Here's what they had to say:

Healy: ``I think its embarrassing that our competition is so archaic in its ways that we don't do it, given a lot of country leagues play with a four-man interchange. It should be a four-man bench for sure.''

Godden: ``I like the three-man interchange to be honest. I like the uniqueness of that and the way it tests your ability to be able to deal with hardship. Today we lost Treeby early and Cheep in the last quarter and you've just got to tough it out. From a medical point of view you don't want to have to put a bloke out there who's injured but it's rare that that happens.''

Norman: ``We've been trying to do it for the last three or four years but the SANFL won't budge on it. I think it would be great. It would've helped us today when we lost Thurstans. You've already got a ruckman who takes a spot up on the bench, and when you lose a player to injury you've only got one person you can put through any rotations.''

Mickan: ``I'm against it. At this level of football you like to see people get good game time and a four-man bench would limit that.''

Fuller: ``I haven't thought about it too much I must say. Attrition is part of the game. Im pretty happy with the way it is. I know the CEOs of each club are pretty happy because they don't have to pay an extra bloke each week.''

Laird: ``I'm not 100 per cent supportive of it. At times it would be handy (to have a four-man bench) but I'd need to give the idea some more thought.''

[Mark_Beswick]

Love Andy as a coach

I would like us to go back to 2 men on the bench though!

[tnt]

Keep the three man bench but let the coach throw on a Gurnsey if his bench is done !

[Big Phil]

Keep the three man bench but let the coach throw on a Gurnsey if his bench is done !

I reckon of the current day coaches, only Nathan Bassett and Tony Bamford might still get a kick ! WOuld love to see Roy Laird running off a half back flank for the Dogs again !!!

[mighty_tiger_79]

keep it to 3

[twosheds]

Leave it at three I reckon, let the footballers play football - the athletes can go elsewhere.

[Adelaide Hawk]

I'm a big Andy Collins fan, but isn't it ironic that it's always ex-AFL players who want 4 on the interchange? Don't do it, don't turn it into another AwFuL.