Rules

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Shortly after Mick Malthouse made his comments regarding the NAB Cup interchange limits, Laws Committee chairman Kevin Bartlett blasted Mick and the criticisms on his SEN radio program. He called the coaches selfish, saying their only interest was to win games and they did not have the wider interest of the game at heart. He accused them of "running roughshod" over the rules committee.

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

A number of AFL coaches have questioned the AFL's trial of limiting bench rotations during the NAB Cup series to 80 per game. Hawthorn Coach Alastair Clarkson said he and his staff were spending more time pre-game trying to prepare for various scenarios based on the rotation limit and more time

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

The first week of the NAB Cup was played in extremely hot weather as it is the height of summer "down under". Even with the roof closed at Etihad Stadium and the air-conditioning on, the temperature on the field soared into the 90's. After the game,

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

AFL free agency has begun. The policy will allow players with long service to their clubs to explore other options at the conclusion of their respective seasons. There are conditions however, with some players being unrestricted free agents and others restricted. (Ed. note: An AFL provided PDF file explaining free agency is attached to the full length version of this article.)

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

St Kilda's Brendon Goddard came close to being made an example by the Match Review Panel after a Round 7 incident in which he attempted to milk a free kick against Carlton. The AFL, in an effort to stamp out blatant staging or diving for free kicks, amended the Tribunal guidelines. The ruling, which was introduced at the start of the 2010 season, allows the MRP and umpires to report a player for unsportsmanlike conduct if they feel a player demonstrates "... excessive exaggeration of contact in an unsportsmanlike manner ...". Such conduct could be reportable if an umpire's decision-making was affected, started a brawl or if they felt such behavior was not in the spirit of the game.

Between the end of the NAB Cup series and the start of Round One on March 24, the AFL held the season launch in Sydney. In between the festivities, League officials met with club captains and coaches to discuss the new rules which were tried out in the preseason. One rule which was high on the agenda was the two substitute-two interchange player rule.

The AFL is trying out several new rules in the 2011 preseason competition, which has also been altered in format. Trial rules which are received favorably could be introduced into the season proper.

Sydney Coach Paul Roos, who will leave the Swans for a position in junior development next year, has again voiced his concern over constant rule changes. He said there has been too much confusion among players, coaches, fans and commentators in recent seasons. He further stated that he is now seeing that confusion filtering down to junior football and he believes this will affect the development of young players.

With the pool of available talent being stretched at draft time due to the introduction of the Gold Coast and Western Sydney teams, the AFL has eliminated the age restriction for rookie-listed players. At present, only one player over the age of 23 is allowed to be rookie-drafted.

Awards, NAB Rules, Tribunal Changes, Injury Updates

The league is set to hold their annual AGM in March, at which time they will present 10 past and present players with AFL life memberships.The announcement was made recently with seven current players reaching the required 300 games. They are Adelaide's Tyson Edwards, North Melbourne's Brent Harvey, Sydney's Michael O'Loughlin, Richmond's Matthew Richardson, Melbourne's Adem Yze and senior field umpires Shane McInerney and Stephen McBurney.