The debate about major changes to the rules of the AFL is gathering momentum as the likelihood of introducing zones increases, but broadcasting legend Bruce McAvaney thinks there’s no need for a major overhaul.
There’s no doubt the game is far removed from the way it was played in the 1980s and 90s due to congestion caused by multiple stoppages, extended interchanges and increased player fitness.
However, the modern fan watches a lot more football than in the past and so sits through the mediocre and less entertaining contests, rather than just the broadcast ‘match of the round’.
MORE: Rule changes may be through sooner than you think | The Rover's rant: Spare us the excuses Carlton
“In the old days every match was being played on the same time on a Saturday – we didn’t see all those matches,” McAvaney told Channel Seven’s The Front Bar on Thursday night.
“I go to a fair bit of footy and I see a lot of good games. I actually love the game. I don’t mind the bad ones.
“I look back to the last two Grand Finals, the Bulldogs and Richmond were two of the great days in Australian sport, and the Bulldogs and Sydney was a cracking match.
“I actually think the game’s in a great position at the moment.
“I think we do need to tinker a little bit, but I am not negative or pessimistic at all about our great game.”
Bruce McAvaney gives his thoughts on the state of the game.#TheFrontBar pic.twitter.com/qyH9Hi6iqJ
— 7AFL (@7AFL) July 19, 2018
The debate has raged this week with Nathan Buckley saying he thinks the introduction of zones could be “a blight on the game”, only to have legendary player and coach Malcolm Blight suggest ‘Bucks’ should quit if he can’t handle change.
AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan said on Friday morning that a League meeting in early August was planned to address the matter.
“I think there will be some changes, the extent of them? I’m not sure,” McLachlan told Neil Mitchell on 3AW Mornings.
“Everybody will have their views and everyone is positioning a bit, but what Steve (Hocking, the AFL’s Head of Football) has done is a completely consultative, wide-ranging view – that’s his job.
“I couldn’t be more pleased with the way he’s gone about it.”