Chaotic rule may lead to another mid-season change

MIDWAY through season 2022, the AFL was awkwardly forced to change the rules.

In the season’s opening rounds, it became apparent that the AFL and the umpires had zero tolerance for players questioning umpiring decisions or showing frustration.

To the disgust of players and fans, repeated 50-metre penalties were paid for trivial indiscretions.

After weeks of confusion and frustration from fans and players, it was revealed that the league had “recalibrated” the definition of dissent.

That happened in round 12.

It wasn’t the only rule they had to adjust mid-year.

Prior to round 17, the league wrote to clubs notifying them that the 10-metre protected zone was also copping a makeover. There would be more leniency for players chasing their opponents through the area.

It’s never a good look when you are forced to change rules mid-year. It’s an admission you got it wrong.

I fear the same will happen in season 2023. The introduction of four umpires will be chaotic.

The competition doesn’t have enough depth to fill the extra umpiring positions.

Unfortunately, umpires feel compelled to influence games and can’t help but blow their whistles; more umpires will mean more unnecessary free kicks.

West Coast coach Adam Simpson foresees more free kicks paid around stoppages.

“The one thing that will be a challenge and it’ll be trivial for everyone except out stoppage guys is they back out to the boundary line with ball-ups,” he said.

“They used to back out to the corridor, but there’s stuff behind that they need to work with.

“Outside of that, I suspect there may be more free kicks paid around stoppages because there’s another set of eyes.”

With the season less than one month away, Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley revealed his team had only had the opportunity to trial with four umpires once.

He’s sure there will be some teething problems.

“I think the adjustments behind the ball and in front of the ball, they’ll be noticeable like every adjustment I reckon there will be a bit of a jump and then it’ll settle back down, but keeping our good umpires in the game for longer is a good outcome I think,” Hinkley told SEN’s Sportsday.

The theory of adding an umpire is sound. It’s designed to reduce the workload of the umps and prolong their careers.

But surely, if you change the officiating of the game as significantly as this, it needs a trial period rather than be thrust into action unannounced just as the dissent rule was last season.

Be prepared for umpires tripping over players and getting in the way.

Free kicks will go through the roof and unfortunately, umpires will determine the outcome of some games instead of the players.

Last year the AFL had to change the rules mid-year twice. I predict they will have to do the same again this year.

– BY KANE CORNES/ SEN