AFL looking at expanding players' protected area Emma Quayle
The Age
December 7, 2015 The "protected area" surrounding players could be doubled next season, with the AFL looking at new ways to open games up and keep them moving.
It is understood a number of clubs have endorsed a suggestion to expand the protected zone, with coaches also in support of increased policing of dangerous sling tackles.
A number of clubs have been working 10-metre protected areas into their pre-season training sessions, to test how it works compared to the current five-metre zone.
The idea is one that may be put to the AFL Commission for at their final meeting for the year next week.
One potential drawback is how any change would be officiated, but there have been recent concerns about players deliberately hovering close to the mark as a delaying tactic. They would have less opportunity or motivation to do that if the area is expanded to 10 metres.
Under the current rules, the protected area gives players room to move after they have taken a mark or received a free kick. It extends to five metres either side of the mark, and to a five-metre radius behind the player with the ball.
No player from either team is allowed within the protected area until the kick has been taken or the umpire has called play on. If a player from the opposition enters the area, a 50-metre penalty is applied, unless the player is following within five metres of an opponent.
The league surveyed key club officials at a meeting ahead of last month's draft in Adelaide about a number of possible rule changes or alterations, including the protected area.
The "third man up" rule has been debated, after clubs' tactics throughout last season, as has the traditional bounce.
Clubs have also been consulted on whether changes could or should be made in order to prevent dangerous tackles by penalising players before they have the time to sling a player heavily to the ground.
It is understood coaches have been generally supportive of tighter policing of the rule, so that a free kick is blown before a tackle has reached "sling" stage.
Carlton midfielder Bryce Gibbs and Essendon defender Courtenay Dempsey were both suspended for laying "slam tackles" during the 2015 season.
The league has also been looking at moving umpires five metres in from the boundary when throwing the ball in, to open play up and reduce the number of multiple throw-ins. That change has already been trialled once, in a pre-season NAB Challenge game.
http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/afl-looking-at-expanding-players-protected-area-20151207-glhilb.html
