Goalkicking shot clock to feature on scoreboards for first timePETER ROLFE
Herald Sun
March 16, 2016 THE AFL has put slow kicking forwards on notice after confirming a basketball-style shot clock will be on display for premiership matches this season.
In a bid to speed up players kicking for goal, a 30-second countdown clock will be used at the MCG and Etihad Stadium from next week and eventually at every AFL match in Australia.
The technology, trialled during the past two pre-seasons, will allow fans to watch a digital countdown on big screens for the first time during the season proper.
Umpires boss Wayne Campbell predicted the move would lead to more consistent decisions as well as faster paced matches.
“The feedback from our umpires was that the countdown clock helped assure they were consistent with the 30 seconds provided to players when kicking for goal,” he said.
“We feel the addition of it through the regular season can only help fans, players and umpires.”
The countdown clock will be activated by an AFL match official in the stands when players are kicking for goal inside the 50m line, flashing up on the scoreboard for the crowd to see.
As if kicking for goal wasn’t hard enough already.
The countdown will stop when a player starts walking in to attempt their set shot, with the clock disappearing from the scoreboard as they commence their run-up.
But if the clock expires before the player starts walking in, play-on will be called.
Hawthorn great Dermott Brereton said it would make no difference to key forwards in the game.
“If your stock and trade is kicking goals, if you’ve got a set routine, you shouldn’t need to look at a clock,’’ he said.
“It’s just another thing to sponsor. How long before they’re saying. ‘The 30 second clock, brought to you by Kentucky Fried Chicken?’.’’
But AFL Fans’ Association president Gerry Eeman warned that some supporters were wary of the development and said it was a shame the AFL did not consult the public.
“We’ll have to wait and see how fans react to this change,’’ he said.
“Social media suggests there are mixed feelings at this stage.
“It is a shame the AFL did not reach out to the public prior to its introduction into the regular season.’’
Umpires will still inform players kicking for goal when they have 15 seconds and five seconds remaining.
The shot clock will be used for the first time during a match for premiership points in the season opener between Richmond and Carlton next Thursday.
AFL spokesman David O’Neill said a trial of the initiative during the 2015 NAB Challenge had received positive feedback from fans and field umpires.
“A number of the AFL’s major stadium partners have confirmed they are keen to use this innovation throughout the 2016 AFL premiership season and have done so successfully throughout the NAB Challenge,’’ he said.
The AFL admitted “technical difficulties’’ at some grounds including the Gabba meant the shot clock could not immediately be introduced at all grounds but was confident it would be operational nationwide this season.
The AFL limited the time available to players taking a set shot to 30 seconds in 2006.
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