AFL footy boss Steve Hocking has explained the league’s concept of “schoolyard” fun that they hope will be seen in the AFLX round robin.
One of the new rules in this year’s AFLX is the Gatorade game changer, which enables each team to select one player in the last five minutes of the game to be their game changers. Each point that player scores in that timeframe will be doubled.
Hocking believes that ability to adjust the rules of the game will bring an element of fun and enjoyment to AFLX.
“The schoolyard piece of it, you would remember how we used to modify games within the schoolyard, this is an extension of that, and advanced version of that,” Hocking told SEN Breakfast.
“We are aware there are fans that potentially might look at it as being a bit jarring, but we encourage everyone to have a look at it.
“If you have a look at the players involved, it’s been interesting for us to work through this and the passion and the engagement we have had from the captains and vice-captains already.
“The captains are all heavily involved in (the draft) trying to work through their teams.
“You have the game changer piece of it as well. Can you imagine the discussion going on between the captains and vice-captains about who is going to be the game changer?
“I think Danger (Patrick Dangerfield) and probably Nat Fyfe will be putting their hands up for that role.”
Hocking added the clubs involved in AFLX have been “supportive” of the concept.
The AFLX takes place on Friday February 22 at Marvel Stadium.
Listen to Steve Hocking’s chat with Garry Lyon and Tim Watson on SEN Breakfast in the player below