Scrap the anti-density rules in the VFL says Hardwick (Australian)

[one-eyed]

Hardwick, meanwhile, added his weight to calls for the league to scrap the experimental anti-density laws that are being trialled in the VFL this year.

The introduction of the new man in the mark rule, along with a reduction in interchange rotations, has produced positive and free-flowing football in the first 10 games in the AFL in 2021.

But the trial in the secondary competition to ensure every club has three men in the forward and defensive 50m arcs, with one in a goalsquare, at boundary throw-ins and kick-ins is less popular.

The rules were designed to promote one-on-one football and reduce congestion, but the by-product has seen players running far fewer kilometres in pre-season outings than they would in an AFL game.

It has also caused disruption to the rhythm of matches as umpires wait for players to return to their respective arcs.

Hardwick said the rules should be scrapped before the season begins next month.

“It’s hard to prepare the players under the rules that they’re playing at the moment at the lower level. It’s really challenging. I hope common sense will prevail,” he said.

“At the moment, it is taking guys 18 seconds to readjust into their forward half, so the GPS results are so (different) from what is required at AFL level. Something has to change.”

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/afl/adidas-to-walk-away-from-australian-rules-and-downgrade-cricket-sponsorships/news-story/0f018843e6299337a9f0175790e67a65

[one-eyed]

Dimma in his post-match presser again called these new VFL rules ridiculous.

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Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has unloaded at the new rules being implemented at VFL level, saying they create “laughable” free kicks and a game that’s “nothing like AFL”.

Rather than implementing the rules straight away at the elite level, the AFL is trialling anti-density rules in the East Coast state league.

At boundary throw-ins and kick-ins, teams must now send three players inside each 50-metre arc with one in the goal square. This is forcing dozens of resets and slowing down matches; the Herald Sun’s Jon Ralph tweeted that last week, one half lasted 70 minutes.

The new rules are also creating many free kicks, given against players who are still trying to get accustomed to the changes.

After his Tigers moved to 2-0 with a 29-point win over Hawthorn, Hardwick was asked about the status of some of his younger players who were pushing for senior spots.

“The challenge for us is just fitting them in and giving them opportunities to play, because the game unfortunately at that lower level, with the rules, is very, very challenging,” the triple premiership coach told reporters.

“It’s hard to prepare them for AFL level. It’s so non-AFL like what we’re seeing at the moment.

“So that’s going to be an enormous challenge for our players - they’re going to have to do top-up running, because it’s nothing like AFL at the minute.”

Asked to clarify what his issue was, Hardwick said: “The rules. The free kicks today at VFL level were laughable.

“We’ve expressed our concerns (to the AFL) so it’s over to them, really. We’re trying to prepare players for the very best competition in the world, I think. We probably need to have a lower league with probably the same rules, I would think.

He added: “I think sanity would prevail at some stage, would it not?”

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-2021-vfl-rule-changes-damien-hardwick-richmond-press-conference-antidensity-rules-free-kicks-laughable-news/news-story/f59e554c5ce7192e5c4dea9a8828ffd9

[the claw]

never mind most people want to see players play one on one in set positions when at all possible no one wants to see 36  players in the one half of the ground and the coaches can take the blame for that.

No one wants to watch circuit work either thats what we have now with the ball going around in circles up one end and down the other with no contests

Lets get the game back to where you dont have to be usain bolt with the motor of rob decastella to play the game. I loved watching your Diesal Williams types or your Paul Broderick types i loved the one on battles and i certainly loved the physical intimidation all of which is drastically missing from the game today.

[one-eyed]

The AFL has modified the anti-density rules in the VFL but not removed them.

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The AFL has heeded the calls of coaches by relaxing its controversial VFL anti-density rules little over a fortnight out from the start of the state league season.

Following a raft of criticism from senior coaches including Damien Hardwick, Alastair Clarkson, David Noble and Luke Beveridge, the AFL announced on Wednesday that teams would no longer need to reset to starting positions at kick-ins, would no longer need to have a player stationed inside the goal square at boundary throw-ins, and that the number of players required from each team to be inside defensive 50 at boundary throw-ins had been reduced from three to two.

Under the newly revised rules, teams will have 12 seconds to get into place at a boundary throw-in. If they don’t comply, they will concede a free kick at the site of the stoppage.

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/afl-caves-in-to-coaches-on-vfl-rule-trial-20210331-p57fp3.html