(04-01-2018, 10:51 AM)PaulP link Wrote:Hmm, Interesting. I never thought of that.
I don't think his kicking skills suffered too much though.
Actually, he first made the comment about balls not being "kicked in" when he was going through a kicking slump. I believe the following season the AFL also requested a slight shape change to the new balls to make the ends more rounded like a kicked in ball. But they are still slippery.
Also a couple of things that have changed. No bouncing the ball around the ground, probably not a big deal but back in the one ball days it would have made a difference. Secondly, when you use one ball non-stop it softens and warms up slightly, in the very same way tennis balls warm up during use. It's not a lot, but it's enough to change the way the ball feels and behaves.
"Ruck, ruck, ruck, ruck ....... Ruck, ruck, ruck, ruck"