Players feel game is too long

AFL Players’ Association CEO Paul Marsh believes the playing group at large would like to see the length of games shortened.

The 2021 season has been significantly tougher than 2020, with quarter length back to 20 minutes plus time-on, coupled with reduced interchange rotations and rules designed to increase the speed in the game.

Most teams have been hit hard by injuries and Marsh said most parties are in agreement about the game being too long.

“I think maybe (the game) is (too long). The players view and even the coaches’ view would be to cut it back to 18 minutes a quarter,” Marsh told SEN SA Breakfast.

“I think the AFL is open to that, but it’s a balancing act of broadcasters in this mix as well, so you just need to work through all those issues, but I’m sure there will be conversations.”

Marsh added that players have raised concerns about the various changes that have been made.

“There is a bit of a concern about the toll the game is taking on the players, I think,” Marsh said.

“When you hear coaches, and a number of them have said this, that they actually couldn’t play today’s game because it’s that difficult, you sort of look at it and go okay, where is the balance here?

“The game is being played at a breakneck speed and we are seeing injuries here. It’s difficult to understand the full extent of those, but I think we’ve got to keep a careful eye on that and try and get the balance right between trying to make the game as fast as it can be, but also not putting our players at risk.

“We’ve certainly had some discussions (with Steve Hocking) and it certainly is early, we’re only eight rounds into the season, and it’s very difficult to make informed decisions.

“We’ve got the injury data and are working through that, but it’s something as the season goes on we’ll be able to have more informed discussions.

“It is something that the AFL clearly has an interest in making sure the game is safe for its players.

“If we get to a point where we think it is at all unsafe, then we have to have those conversations.”

– BY NIC NEGREPONTIS/ AAP IMAGE