bang on. I do wonder if the new ruck rules will mean that young rucks that have been given a four or so year leash to develop, will instead be utilised a bit more at centre bounce due to their athleticism, and in turn whether players like Mac Andrew and Thilthorpe might provide outsized advantages here. Also, I haven't been paying attention, but I assume they are still protecting Adam Goodes's knees and making them run from within the circle? which seems counter to the jumping part.. (note, no slight on Adam Goodes and the stain on the game/country that was his unfortunate burden, just a slight on the AFL for their changes made based on one injury)
Thanks for the mention Mateo! To hop on board the bandwagon of people pessimistic on these rule changes, I'm fearful we will be getting less close games in 2026 as a direct result of these points you've raised. According to the AFL, there were 52 games decided by 10 points or less last year.
That’s about 24% of games.
However this was less than 2023 and 2024.
Seems like that's going to go down again this year.
Early data shows it is down to about 22% so far this year. Again - early sample size, but could be another negative result of this push towards higher scoring, less contested footy.
Perfect example of being engineered out of the game as guys like Will Phillips. Had all the attributes of a Brownlow medalist Circa 2005-2015 era but now seen as too slow and one dimensional.
Great article. I agree that the administration has engineered a game that they feel is aesthetically appealing in their eyes but is not healthy or as watchable to me as natural games in the past. The umpiring interpretations at various times changes to help engineer closer finishes and to make sure free kick counts end up even makes it feel very artificial. I struggle to watch entire games and am not nearly as invested in the competition now.
Thanks, buddy. Yes, I think you've summed it up well. It's still early enough that this could all be provisional and we might be heading towards something more stable. Coaches are smart and they'll be working on defensive adaptations. But it's a concern.
bang on. I do wonder if the new ruck rules will mean that young rucks that have been given a four or so year leash to develop, will instead be utilised a bit more at centre bounce due to their athleticism, and in turn whether players like Mac Andrew and Thilthorpe might provide outsized advantages here. Also, I haven't been paying attention, but I assume they are still protecting Adam Goodes's knees and making them run from within the circle? which seems counter to the jumping part.. (note, no slight on Adam Goodes and the stain on the game/country that was his unfortunate burden, just a slight on the AFL for their changes made based on one injury)
Thanks for the mention Mateo! To hop on board the bandwagon of people pessimistic on these rule changes, I'm fearful we will be getting less close games in 2026 as a direct result of these points you've raised. According to the AFL, there were 52 games decided by 10 points or less last year.
That’s about 24% of games.
However this was less than 2023 and 2024.
Seems like that's going to go down again this year.
Early data shows it is down to about 22% so far this year. Again - early sample size, but could be another negative result of this push towards higher scoring, less contested footy.
Perfect example of being engineered out of the game as guys like Will Phillips. Had all the attributes of a Brownlow medalist Circa 2005-2015 era but now seen as too slow and one dimensional.
Great article. I agree that the administration has engineered a game that they feel is aesthetically appealing in their eyes but is not healthy or as watchable to me as natural games in the past. The umpiring interpretations at various times changes to help engineer closer finishes and to make sure free kick counts end up even makes it feel very artificial. I struggle to watch entire games and am not nearly as invested in the competition now.
Thanks, buddy. Yes, I think you've summed it up well. It's still early enough that this could all be provisional and we might be heading towards something more stable. Coaches are smart and they'll be working on defensive adaptations. But it's a concern.