AFL GM Brad Scott was recently in Adelaide to catch up with the SANFL bosses and club leaders.
At the top of the discussion points was what can be done to help clubs affected by the mid-season draft.
It seems, if not much else, SANFL clubs can expect better compensation for losing players smack bang in the middle of a premiership campaign and there’s hope some minor changes can be made soon so all parties are happy.
Another discussion point was the last touch rule.
Introduced in the SANFL in 2017, it had an immediate impact. Stoppages decreased and there was an instant spike in scoring.
It seems the AFL is interested and we may see it in the big league as early as 2023. For reference, the law of the rule is it’s a turnover from the last clean disposal, so boundary throw ins still exist off general play.
The other discussion topic was the SANFL’S use of the 25-metre penalty.
The great Kevin Sheedy said earlier this year that 50-metre penalties were killing the game and this rule could be the answer.
You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone in the SANFL who doesn’t support this rule and recommend it.
It means a team can cop a 25m even at the centre square and it doesn’t translate into an expected score, while it also eases pressure on the umpires.
From a fan's point of view, watching your team give up 25 metres is annoying, versus a 50-metre penalty, which is infuriating. Unfortunately, the umpires are the outlet for this anger and while it’s only minor, less heat coming over the fence could help with participation rates for officials coming through.
It would be a big call to half the 50-metre penalty in the AFL but in doing so, it might make fans tolerate some tough decisions from the umps… except the protected zone.