Zone at centre bounces to protect umpires
Mark Stevens | December 03, 2008
UMPIRES could be protected by a "no-go zone" at centre bounces in home-and-away matches next season.
The proposed rule, to be tested in the NAB Cup this year, is one of many to be considered by the AFL Commission at its next meeting on December 15.
If it is given the green light, all grounds will have a marked no-go zone, which would be 2m wide and extend 6.5m either side of the centre of circle.
AFL coaches have been approached about the rule and it is understood there would be little resistance if the no-go zone was used in the home-and-away season.
If it is passed, players would not be allowed into the prohibited zone when an umpire is preparing to bounce, is bouncing or exiting on his usual path after a bounce.
Any player in the zone under those scenarios would be hit with a free-kick - regardless of whether he is stationary or moving through the area.
The AFL Umpires' Association backed the rule this year as a way of easing collisions between players and umpires.
There now seems to be no obvious roadblock to the
no-go zone being introduced for the season proper.
Umpires backing away after bounces are particularly vulnerable, with players at times positioned in their way.
Under another proposed change, bad bounces will almost certainly be recalled.
Umpire Damien Sully was dropped in April after a centre bounce darted 10m towards North Melbourne's goal in a game against Collingwood.
The bad bounce set up an easy clearance and resulted in a goal to the Kangaroos.
Under the new rule, set to be in place for the home-and-away season, Sully would have the option of calling the ball back and bouncing again.
Current AFL rules stipulate the ball can be recalled only if it makes contact with the umpire.
AFL umpires' director Jeff Gieschen has been visiting clubs, delivering updates.
The league is also poised to test a new rule in the NAB Cup to deter rushed behinds.
The favoured option is a free kick to the opposition where the ball is deliberately rushed through.
Any breach would lead to an automatic goal.
Some coaches feel the rule, which could be used in the home-and-away season, is too harsh.
Some favour less dramatic action, such as the player who rushes the ball not being able to kick the ball back into play.
That would slow down the advantage of a rushed behind leading to a quick take-away from full-back.
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,24743630-19742,00.html
