Richmond great Kevin Bartlett has slammed the AFL’s proposed rule changes, labelling them “the greatest load of hogwash” he’s ever heard.
Chief football writer at The Age, Jake Niall, has reported that two goal squares within an 18-metre arc at each end of the ground will be discussed at today’s meeting between the AFL and the league’s Competition Committee.
AFL CEO Gillon McLachalan revealed on SEN’s Whateley this morning that the competition’s hierarchy are considering experimenting with rule changes in certain matches between clubs that are out of finals contention this season.
Bartlett didn’t hold back in his criticism, saying those who floated the idea of the two goal squares should stand down immediately and that the integrity of the game is at risk.
“The games analysis group that has discussed the two goal squares, those on that committee, in my own opinion, should stand down,” he told SEN’s KB and The Doc.
“Anyone who discusses two goal squares to kick in an AFL football for the fast kick-in and the slow kick-in, in my opinion, should stand down.
“Here we are thinking about trialling different rules, in different games, before the end of the season.
“Some of the games they’re talking about are Freo v Carlton.
“Patty Cripps is one of the favourites to win to win the Brownlow Medal, but he will be getting Brownlow Medal votes or not getting Brownlow Medal votes in a game under different rules than others who are getting Brownlow Medal votes in that particular round.
“It’s the greatest load of hogwash I’ve ever heard.
“If you’re running a competition and two or three games are being played under a different set of rules than the rest of the competition, how compromised is that?”
Listen to Kevin Bartlett express his anger at the proposed rule changes on SEN's KB and The Doc in the player below