SA Footy

http://www.sanfl.com.au/news/sanfl_news/2627/

By ZAC MILBANK | Twitter @zacmilbank

The SANFL has decided against introducing an on-field warm-up period for league teams in season 2015.

From a query tabled by North Adelaide at last month’s SANFL Laws of the Game Committee, SANFL teams would have been afforded a 15-20 minute on-ground warm-up in the lead up to each SANFL league match.

The Roosters cited a lack of genuine warm-up areas at SANFL venues as the reason for the query, which would have seen the league fall into line with other state league pre-match preparations.

But the need to move reserves matches forward by 20 minutes, coupled with logistical issues surrounding reserves players having to wait on-field until the changerooms become available, ensured the proposal was ruled out.

In other matters discussed during the league’s mid-year Laws of the Game meeting, all new umpiring interpretations for 2014 were assessed in a positive manner.

These included:
•Holding the ball interpretation – if the ball is dislodged in a tackle and not handballed or kicked it is currently being called play on.
•Sliding in below the knees – clubs are satisfied this rule is not being applied at SANFL level.
•Defenders not looking at the ball – taggers and backmen have improved in watching the ball, and not their opponent, at stoppages.
•Marking contests – concerns backmen grabbing their opponents’ arms have subsided.

The Laws of the Game Committee also discussed several possibilities to address the clubs’ concern about losing players to injury early in matches.

Several match-ending injuries this season prompted a number of clubs, to push for an extra player on the interchange bench or the introduction of a substitute in line with the AFL.

A potential cap on interchange rotations, which have risen significantly at SANFL level since 2009, is another alternative being considered.

In the past six seasons, rotations at league level have soared from an average of just 34 per match to a staggering 87 in 2014.

SANFL clubs have been asked to provide feedback on the potential options, with further information to be provided by the league before a final recommendation is made by the Laws of the Game Committee at the end of the year.

The SANFL Laws of the Game Committee is chaired by SA Football Commissioner Dion McCaffrie and includes Eagles coach Michael Godden, North co-captain Greg Gallman, SANFL General Manager Football Chris Davies, SANFL Football Services Manager Matt Duldig, SANFL Umpiring Manager Shane Harris and Central District chief executive Kris Grant.

ROTATIONS ON THE RISE
(Average rotations per match)

2009 – 34.3
2010 – 45.7
2011 – 50.2
2012 – 57.4
2013 – 75.8
2014 – 87.3

Rotations in Season 2014

Adelaide – 110.7
Central – 90.8
Glenelg – 77.1
North – 88.2
Norwood – 89.9
Port – 90.9
South – 76.5
Sturt – 77.1
West – 69.1
Woodville-West Torrens – 93.1

I think North should be worrying about other things, looks like we've been to the Crows seminar on how to make excuses.

A few things..............

Let the game go
Stop copying the AFL
North ...............stretch , a jog , stretch on the ground. Tipping you will be fine if done well.
Rotations.............who cares. Let it evolve . Eventually they will work out a bloke sprinting off every few minutes exerts energy for player coming on and off and that at AFL level some top teams are low on rotations. Stop copying the AFL.

I think the SANFL should get back to the competition it was . Forget the sucking up and being influenced and bribed , run a real football competition that fans love. Get back to that and we will see an increase in interest and crowds. As it stands now , for a few reasons , the league keeps pandering.

The last time we won a premiership our team warm-up consisted of a bit of a jog/run around the oval and some shots at goal. Maybe if we stopped warming up so much we might actually be able to play better during the actual games.

•Holding the ball interpretation – if the ball is dislodged in a tackle and not handballed or kicked it is currently being called play on.

This rule/interpretation stinks.

If the ball is knocked out in a tackle, then play on. If the ball spills/dislodges/gets thrown when being tackled ping holding the ball if there was a prior opportunity!

I've always been comfortable with a play on call if the ball's dislodged - I mean that's the point of tackling them. Always thought that free kicks here stop the flow of the game, but I'm probably in the minority.