Damien Hardwick this week draws level with Jack Dyer in second spot on Richmond’s games coached list. Photo: AFL MEDIA
1. What would be the first items on your agenda if you were Gillon McLachlan for a day?
After having a crack at sorting out the messy clash jumper situation (more on that another day), I’d be marching straight down to Steve Hocking’s office for a chat about the advantage rule.
The chaotic application of the existing rule causes plenty of grief, yet somehow escapes the level of scrutiny showered upon rules like contact below the knees and the protected zone.
Perhaps it’s because it has remained largely unchanged for so long. It’s part of the furniture. Nobody has come up with a decent solution, so maybe it’s just too tricky to fix.
Two things irk me about the advantage rule and there’s a good chance you’ll see them on display this weekend.
First, there’s the late advantage call. When the whistle blows, most players stop. If they keep playing, they face the possibility of conceding a 50m penalty for a variety of infringements.
The late advantage call often catches out 35 players on the field, and the attacker who luckily had the ball land is his lap ends up gaining an unfair advantage against a traffic cone defence. It’s happened several times this season and has directly resulted in goals. Good luck explaining that one to prospective new footy fans without confusing them.
Secondly, there’s the umpire that calls play back after the advantage has been wasted, usually by a player who has kicked a behind or missed his next target. Surely once the player has made his decision to take the advantage, that should be it.
Here’s a trial I’d like to see: don’t blow the whistle for an infringement unless it is clear that there is no immediate advantage.
The system works well in soccer and rugby union. Instead of blowing the whistle and half-stopping play, the referee raises an arm or two to indicate an infringement has been spotted and allows the attacking team to continue.
Admittedly, the speed of play in the international football codes is generally slower than it is in the AFL, allowing officials more time to apply the advantage rule in that manner.
It would take footy some getting used to, no doubt. But if one or two seconds passed with no advantage, the umpire could call it back to the original free kick. The umpire would also have the option of blowing for a free kick immediately, but would not then be able to pay advantage.
Communication would be key. The umpire would need to clearly indicate what the free kick was for to prevent all hell from breaking loose in the stands.
We’ve trialled plenty of whacky concepts over the years. Why not give this one a whirl? If not, then let’s hear some better ideas. Because the current system is shambolic.
2. As always, there has been plenty of discussion about the state of the game throughout the 2019 season.
It might have peaked last week on the back of a thoroughly unwatchable Friday night fixture and several equally dire contests over the subsequent two days. But I’ll be stuffed if I’m not still excited about this weekend’s fixtures.
There are at least four games that I’m genuinely looking forward to and another that could have far-reaching ramifications if it goes pear-shaped for St Kilda. And that’s before I get around to watching my own team play.
Collingwood is in danger of imploding as it heads to Perth for a clash with a West Coast side that has started to makes its big move in its premiership defence. The fact the Pies were on the receiving end in last year’s grand final only adds more spice to the encounter, which will play out in front of almost 60,000 fans at a packed Optus Stadium.
Essendon versus North Melbourne might just about be the last old VFL rivalry with a genuine suburban feel to it. Fans of other clubs might not feel it, but there is genuine angst between these sides that reignited when the Sheedy and Pagan teams of the 90s faced off, and hasn’t let up since.
The Kangaroos are rejuvenated under Rhyce Shaw and Bombers coach John Worsfold is as staunch as ever in the face of adversity. Both sides are fighting to keep their finals hopes alive. It should be a beauty.
Rising Richmond welcomes back Jack Riewoldt against a Greater Western Sydney side stung by a defeat to Brisbane which saw it cough up its top-four spot. Bobby Hill’s debut for the Giants against cousin Sydney Stack could be worth the price of admission alone.
But the best is saved for last and the Sunday twilight slot has never looked so appealing this year. The Lions are fast becoming everyone’s second favourite side and visit the competition’s most unpredictable side, Port Adelaide.
Even if you’ve lost some heart with the state of the game, there’s plenty worth watching this weekend.
3. The National Basketball League has enjoyed some sort of a rebirth over the last couple years under the ownership of prominent businessman Larry Kestelman.
And although our domestic hoops competition isn’t about to topple the AFL as the nation’s most popular and profitable professional sports organization anytime soon, it is closing in on a win that will rile plenty in the football community.
Their anger will no doubt be directed at decision makers within their own game for acting slowly and putting their energy into issues many believe should be further down the list of priorities.
The NBL is eyeing off a piece of real estate long considered by football as its turf: Tasmania.
In September, the NBL Blitz pre-season tournament will be held in the Apple Isle, and the ambitious Kestelman has been happy to spruik his plans for basketball and a revitalization of the Hobart area.
A public “NBL Tasmania” campaign has been launched and the state government – eager to quench its constituents’ thirst for top-level sport – is open to making it happen.
Meanwhile, the AFL continues to drag its feet on giving Tasmania its own team.
Basketball’s advances could force the AFL to speed up its process or give a stronger commitment to football authorities down south.
4. Damien Hardwick will this week draw level with Jack Dyer in second spot on Richmond’s all-time games coached list.
It’s a remarkable achievement, especially given Hardwick’s head was on the chopping block at the end of 2016. And in another 12 months, he’s due to surpass the club games record held by its greatest ever coach, Tom Hafey.
Hardwick has coached 221 games at a 54.75 per cent winning ratio, behind Dyer (222 at 60.81) and Hafey (248 at 69.76). The latter, of course, was at the helm for four of Richmond’s VFL premierships.
Of the current AFL coaches, only John Worsfold (363), the legendary Alastair Clarkson (344) and Ross Lyon (299) have coached more games than Hardwick. All will boast formidable records when their careers eventually draw to an end.
Clarkson and Lyon will pit their wits against each other this weekend as the Fremantle mentor reaches the 300-game milestone, joining 21 other men in achieving the feat.
Lyon has been an intriguing watch this week, under increased scrutiny following three straight defeats that have seen the Dockers tumble out of the top eight.
The 52-year-old described recent criticism of the rebuild he’s overseen as “hysterical” and “hyperbole”, and has started publicly referring to his “body of work” as a pointer to why he’ll be around to see out the final year of his contract with Fremantle next season.
Since the 2015 season, which reaped a minor premiership and preliminary final appearance, Lyon has overseen 27 wins in 81 matches. It now looks like he’s set for a fourth straight year without a finals appearance.
Another loss in Launceston – where the Dockers have been beaten in all nine meetings with Hawthorn by an average of 44.2 points – would only turn up the heat.
5. The Western Bulldogs will look resplendent in their 1989-style throwback jumpers when they pay tribute this weekend to people like Peter Gordon, who fought tooth and nail to keep their club alive 30 years ago.
It’s just a pity the Dogs’ fixture will resemble a dog’s breakfast when Melbourne runs out in the hideous red-backed version of its regular guernsey to create a messy mash-up of red, white and shades of blue.
Fremantle will follow a similar path to the Bulldogs when it brings back its original home jumper for the clash with Essendon in Round 22. The Dockers’ jumper will feature the old anchor on the purple jumper, complete with the red and green panels on the left and right chest respectively.
The throwback designs have stirred the passion in diehard Bulldogs and Fremantle supporters and raised an obvious question – whatever happened to Heritage Round? There’s nothing footy fans love more than a bit of nostalgia and the old-style jumpers reignited sentiments from yesteryear.
Let’s bring back Heritage Round for the 2020 season.
