(06-29-2023, 06:11 AM)LP link Wrote:A few AFLW rule changes announced today, most are trivial, although two caught my eye as potentially testing the ground for AFL.
The first was an increase to train on players, I can see the AFL will think this as a way to level the playing field and make the progress up and down the ladder more dynamic. Players will want to go to club's where real opportunities exist, not just hang around champion teams hoping an injury delivers an opportunity.
The second was umpires coming in off the boundary for throw ins inside the arcs. I suspect the AFL is testing this as there is a focus to recruit more boundary umpires, in particular female boundary umpires. But the current throw in guidelines are making female boundary umpires for AFL almost an impossibility. The players are told to setup and expect a throw in distance most girls cannot achieve. To solve this you bring the boundary umpires in and have them practise throwing a shorter distance. Keen observers will know certain teams are already practising / training on grounds that have a faint inner boundary line, I'd suggest the AFLW change is the next step in the process of rule verification.
The rule has changed so that throw ins inside the arcs will now be from the boundary line rather than from 10m inside the line as in previous seasons. Throw ins from between the arcs will still be from 10m inside the line.
Tossing the ball further inside the arcs was intended to reduce congestion and avoid secondary stoppages. I'm not sure what the benefit of this change is meant to be but defenders will probably be happy.
Actually, I noticed a female boundary umpire in one of our VFL games who was hurling the ball a decent distance and at least as far as the blokes.
“Why don’t you knock it off with them negative waves? Why don’t you dig how beautiful it is out here? Why don’t you say something righteous and hopeful for a change?” Oddball