LAST week’s release of several proposed rule alternatives has sparked healthy debate throughout the football community.
Certainly, what effect the set of rules and their interpretation, as identified by the Rules Of The Game committee, has on the VFL has also been a talking point.
Generally, rules that the AFL adopt have a flow on effect in that they become part of the rules that govern VFL matches and in fact all matches played in the community.
Rules that are trialled by the AFL in the NAB Cup pre-season competition can also find themselves in the VFL.
And, the reason why they have been invoked is for consistency purposes given the large number of AFL Listed players that play weekly in the VFL.
In recent years, the VFL adopted the rule where umpires called play on when a mark was taken by any backward directed kick in the defensive half of the ground.
It operated for several years, but when the AFL decided it would not pursue it, the VFL dropped it.
AFL Victoria has no issue that such rules are trialled and/or implemented in the VFL. Basically, we see it as part of our role in the game’s evolution and it also gives the competition a point of difference.
We’ll wait until the AFL decides what rules – capping numbers on the Interchange bench, the number of rotations or awarding a goal if the ball hits the goal posts and carries through the area designated for a goal – changes they will introduce before adopting them.
Any change in the interchange bench rule will impact on any pending decision to alter the interchange in VFL senior and/or VFL reserves.
While AFL Victoria is mindful of embracing various rule changes, we are also conscious of applying our own development designed rules.
One of the success stories in recent years has been the 23rd player Rule, which allows clubs to play a 19-year-old TAC Cup player or a traditional ‘top-aged’ TAC Cup player.
That rule has been expanded to allow clubs to play a player as the 23rd player who is in his first season out of the TAC. It provides players with a further opportunity to showcase their talent at what we consider the best State League competition in the country.
And, with the AFL continuing to expand in future years it will create greater awareness of aspiring VFL players.
Clearly, AFL Victoria wants to continue with that Rule in 2011, but any decision to increase the size of the current Interchange will have to be discussed with the AFL.
Last Modified on 20/09/2010 10:44