veteran journalist

AFL Tackling Rules Under Scrutiny Amidst Growing Congestion Concerns

Recent discussions among AFL figures, including former Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley and commentator David Sheahan, have highlighted important concerns regarding on-field congestion and the effectiveness of current tackling rules. The debate centers on how to address the increasing number of players involved in stoppages, a phenomenon that critics argue detracts from the game’s flow and excitement.

David Sheahan, speaking on “The Couch,” expressed his frustration with the current state of play, citing instances of repeated ball-ups and neutral contests. “The games too long, full stop,” Sheahan stated, emphasizing his desire for a change. He recounted a specific scenario where seven neutral contests occurred consecutively, illustrating the problem of players being unable to break free from the pack. Sheahan also questioned the AFL’s current direction, particularly the emphasis on rewarding the tackler over the player who wins possession, suggesting that the league’s leadership might have an extensive list of issues to address.

nathan Buckley offered a potential solution, proposing that the AFL should “take away prior opportunity” in holding-the-ball interpretations. He believes that by rewarding the tackler more directly, ball carriers will be incentivized to dispose of the ball more quickly and with longer kicks, thereby dispersing the congestion. “You’ve got to reward the tackler if you don’t wont that – that will disperse the congestion,” Buckley argued.

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