No major rule changes for 2008
24 November 2007 Herald Sun
FOOTY traditionalists and coaches breathed a sigh of relief last night.
After six rule changes and 11 changes of interpretation in the past three seasons, the AFL yesterday said there would be no major changes to the game's laws in 2008.
In announcing a "year of consolidation", the AFL decided to again monitor interchange bench use, backward kicking and rushed behinds.
"The rule and interpretation changes made in recent years have reduced injuries, made the game more continuous and contributed to a wonderful year of football," football operations manager Adrian Anderson said.
"The laws committee believes that it is now time for a year of consolidation."
But while the "no change" policy will please many, it means the AFL's "hands in the back" interpretation used in 2007 will remain.
"It was the committee's view that this interpretation on hands in the back has resulted in a significant improvement to the marking contest in 2007," Anderson said.
"There are more contested marks and players are kicking more to contests."
But the laws committee did ratify two minor changes for 2008, with emergency umpires given the power to end quarters and umpires may relocate the centre square and circle when unsuitable for bouncing.
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,22812398%255E20322,00.html
