Former recruiter Matt Rendell has taken a swipe at Luke Beveridge and other AFL coaches, following their criticism of the anti-density rule in lower leagues.
The VFL and East Coast competition is experimenting with zones this season, with three players from each team required to stand inside 50 at stoppages, and one from each in the goal square.
Beveridge said the rules are a “spanner in the works,” with players at reserve grade not exposed to the conditions they’ll meet at the elite level.
The Dogs coach told reporters it will delay the development of Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, with the No. 1 selection being held back despite kicking five goals against Collingwood in a reserves scratch match last Friday.
“Jamarra didn’t run anywhere near like he’s going to be required to run in an AFL game… we can’t get that match conditioning he needs at AFL level,” Beveridge lamented.
North Melbourne boss David Noble added that he’s “not a fan” of the development.
"The work of forcing a player right back to the goal square, I don’t think is right,” Noble told reporters.
“I think it changes the roles that we’re looking for our players to play, coming into the AFL."
Rendell believes coaches were the cause of the issue they're now complaining about.
“I heard Bevo whinging about the VFL density rule,” Rendell told SEN Afternoons on Thursday.
“(Coaches have) only got one person to blame. Have a good look in the mirror.
“The VFL has been unwatchable for five years with everyone on the ball on small grounds. They’re not playing on MCGs.”
Rendell added that the application of the rule isn’t perfect in the reserves competition, however.
“They need to change the rule where the bloke has to be in the goal square, because that’s ridiculous. They have to run too far,” he explained.
“I can’t believe they didn’t use the density rule from the under 18s, (where) you have two inside 50, but you can be right inside 50, and five over the half way mark each.
“So you’re not running 50 metres back to goal while the umpires have to wait.”
Listen to the full chat with the former recruiter below.