MIDWAY through season 2022, the AFL was awkwardly forced to change the rules.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
To the disgust of players and fans, repeated 50-metre penalties were paid for trivial indiscretions.<\/p>\n
After weeks of confusion and frustration from fans and players, it was revealed that the league had “recalibrated” the definition of dissent.<\/p>\n
That happened in round 12.<\/p>\n
It wasn’t the only rule they had to adjust mid-year.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
It’s never a good look when you are forced to change rules mid-year. It\u2019s an admission you got it wrong.<\/p>\n
I fear the same will happen in season 2023. The introduction of four umpires will be chaotic.<\/p>\n
The competition doesn’t have enough depth to fill the extra umpiring positions.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, umpires feel compelled to influence games and can’t help but blow their whistles; more umpires will mean more unnecessary free kicks.<\/p>\n
West Coast coach Adam Simpson foresees more free kicks paid around stoppages.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe one thing that will be a challenge and it\u2019ll be trivial for everyone except out stoppage guys is they back out to the boundary line with ball-ups,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey used to back out to the corridor, but there\u2019s stuff behind that they need to work with.<\/p>\n
\u201cOutside of that, I suspect there may be more free kicks paid around stoppages because there\u2019s another set of eyes.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
He’s sure there will be some teething problems.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the adjustments behind the ball and in front of the ball, they\u2019ll be noticeable like every adjustment I reckon there will be a bit of a jump and then it\u2019ll settle back down, but keeping our good umpires in the game for longer is a good outcome I think,\u201d Hinkley told SEN\u2019s Sportsday.<\/p>\n
The theory of adding an umpire is sound. It’s designed to reduce the workload of the umps and prolong their careers.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Be prepared for umpires tripping over players and getting in the way.<\/p>\n
Free kicks will go through the roof and unfortunately, umpires will determine the outcome of some games instead of the players.<\/p>\n
Last year the AFL had to change the rules mid-year twice. I predict they will have to do the same again this year.<\/p>\n