Australia’s own Australian Football League (AFL) is taking similarly audacious steps to punish unsportsmanlike behavior on the field. They’re particularly focusing on getting rid of the games most egregious behaviors. Photo by Guus Hiddink/FairFax In July, Greg Swann, the newly installed football overlord, signaled that departure was needed. His plea emerged for a hard-nosed attitude to tackle gut shots and other outbursts of violence on the field.
In a recent joint memorandum distributed to AFL clubs, Swann detailed the forthcoming policies as part of a push to improve player welfare and game integrity. Beginning next season, players found to be guilty of unsportsmanlike conduct will be faced with stronger penalties. Medium impact infractions, as medium as a stomach punch, will cause a single-game suspension. This is a sea change from how we measure these actions. Offenses that previously had been considered low impact will be prosecuted more aggressively and receive stiffer punishments.
Swann highlighted the importance of swift action, stating, “Guys punching guys in the guts — give them a week (suspension).” His comments highlight the AFL’s dedication to ensuring a safe playing space for players, regardless of age or experience level. He acknowledged that although these types of acts are down this year, more needs to be done to prevent them from happening altogether.
The AFL has further streamlined its tribunal processes to give players facing disciplinary action hearings as soon as possible. A team playing on a Thursday will no longer have to wait until Tuesday for a tribunal hearing. Instead, cases can be addressed as early as Monday night. This adjustment is intended to increase clarity not just for teams, but for players as well.
Providing more clarity to umpires’ decisions with the introduction of a last-disposal rule will help improve transparency. By this rule, the players need to defend the ball until it crosses the perimeter line between the two 50-meter arcs. If they are the final player to contact it, they would give up a free kick as punishment. The AFL women’s league (AFLW) and the second-tier SANFL are doing it. By enforcing it in the AFL, we hope to reduce umpire interpretation when it comes to the intent rule, which at times is lacking.
Over the arc of 50 meters though, it’s still not enough intent, and that guideline will not change. This difference provides umpires with a level of wiggle room when they find themselves in a pressurized situation. Players are required to get the ball back into play significantly faster now after a behind. The clock has been reduced from 12 seconds to eight seconds.
Swann reflected on the broader implications of these changes, noting, “Everything that happens at the elite level filters down to the juniors and you just don’t want those things.” Public opinion AFL members 2018 Green Room This view focuses on the AFL’s responsibility to elite players. It highlights their duty of care to young athletes who look up to them.
It’s time to change the rules on collision. If a player slightly shrugs or lowers a shoulder during a tackle now, that will be deemed a prior opportunity. Players need to adopt a default mode of standing whenever they’re within five meters of a protected area. This rule does not take effect when a mark or free kick is called. These changes are an important part of player safety and maintaining game integrity.
