The 'modern game'

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,534]

I keep reading and hearing about the 'modern game'. When did the 'modern game' begin? I suspect it might depend on a person's age. For me, I started going to the football in the mid-1960s. And I believe the term 'modern game' refers to that period onwards. But what does it mean to you?

It will help in forum discussions if we know what posters are referring to when they refer to 'the modern game'.

Reason for edit: added last sentence

Edited May 16, 2012 by La Dee-vina Comedia

[Tatu 416]

For me the modern game, is a tactical "chess like" game. Were players play under instruction from the coaches and stick to a roll or game....

When i firsts saw this tactical style of game, was the introduction of the flood. which was implemented by the bombers in the late 1990's......

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

It changes just about every six months after a few weeks of a team trying something slightly new with a bit of success.

[Sir Why You Little 35,322]

Whenever the players became full time footballers. From there on the game changed.

[mrtwister 650]

Really late 90s to early 00s.

When tactics became 'complicated' and 'expansive'.

[DemonWA 3,658]

Really late 90s to early 00s.

When tactics became 'complicated' and 'expansive'.

For me the modern game refers to the way AFL has been played since roughtly 2000's onwards.

Since umpires rules have put an end wrestling in a marking contest, and been hot on push in the back

Since full forwards/backs & ruckmen have had to have an increased athletic ability and not be just tall and strong

[DemonWA 3,658]

For me the modern game, is a tactical "chess like" game. Were players play under instruction from the coaches and stick to a roll or game....

When i firsts saw this tactical style of game, was the introduction of the flood. which was implemented by the bombers in the late 1990's......

I remember when Freo enlisted Rick Charlsworth to Freo's coaching group. Nothing came of it at the time, however i reckon he would have been ahead of his time suggesting bringing a defensive press into AFL.

[daisycutter 28,727]

the "modern afl game" begins in 2013 with a demonstration by the mfc

yeah i know - my middle name is pollyanna

[Guest Jackie]

The modern game is what will be played this week. But in regards to keeping up with the times we are just luddites.

[CHAMP 347]

Barassi's 1970 Grand Final half-time instruction of "Handball, handball, handball" would be a fair starting point.

The strategy and consequent 54 point turnaround didn't go unnoticed.

[Hannibal 5,814]

For me it's when it became semi-professional in the 1980's. It's also the decade where I got the most visual enjoyment watching footy. Plus the game expanded and West Coast joined the competition in 1987, which was the forerunner of the AFL in 1990.

So, it's the 1980's for me.

[Guest Jackie]

Perhaps the first really tactical defence to offense structure that led to modern football was the huddle at kickouts invented by one of Demonland's dearly beloved. That was Robert Walls in the 1980's. Before that it was kick it long to a contest on the boundary to play it safe or slam it up the middle for urgency at more risk.

Edited May 16, 2012 by Jackie

[Striker475 696]

2000. With the Doggies flooding to beat the Dons in Round 22.

[DeeZee 6,911]

The game is always changing.

The term "modern game" is a generalization.

The latest version of the game is only a few years old, stacks of numbers around the ball,record amount of tackles,immense pressure,and no such thing as a stay at home forward.

[Real Demon 232]

2000. With the Doggies flooding to beat the Dons in Round 22.

Exactly what I was thinking.

The game changed forever after that game!

[Guest Jackie]

2000. With the Doggies flooding to beat the Dons in Round 22.

It was more like the Dons taking a break before the real business began and to absolve themselves from the curse of the undefeated. The Dogs could never repeat the effort because it was all an illusion for them.

Edited May 16, 2012 by Jackie

[dee-luded 2,958]

I keep reading and hearing about the 'modern game'. When did the 'modern game' begin? I suspect it might depend on a person's age. For me, I started going to the football in the mid-1960s. And I believe the term 'modern game' refers to that period onwards. But what does it mean to you?

It will help in forum discussions if we know what posters are referring to when they refer to 'the modern game'.

Reason for edit: added last sentence

For mine, 'The Modern Game', as it's titled, started with playing on, handball to a teammate, who then ran with the ball before kicking long.

IMO, Barassi started this trend, when at Carlton.

I think thats the start of the modern game.

By todays standards, I wouldn't call todays game, a modern game. I'd title it a techno game. A game of strategies & zones. Boring really, for the watcher.

It could end up as a No Name game. A game of No Name Pawns, moved about by the King Pin Coach, the only one with a notoriety.

[Striker475 696]

It was more like the Dons taking a break before the real business began and to absolve themselves from the curse of the undefeated. The Dogs could never repeat the effort because it was all an illusion for them.

Yeah, but it was a tactical thing too. Everyone saw that and things changed.

[beelzebub 22,724]

Barassi's 1970 Grand Final half-time instruction of "Handball, handball, handball" would be a fair starting point.

The strategy and consequent 54 point turnaround didn't go unnoticed.

THIS