http://m.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/afl-trainers-safety-fear-over-new-rules-20131221-2zs40.html

Has anyone else read about this? I actually like the idea of reducing the runners to one and the trainers to four. The role of runners/trainers is to deliver messages or water to players who are on the ground. With the current "rotations" surely those sort of messages and the water can be delivered on the bench just as well as on the ground. Everyone gets to the bench a few times per quarter anyway.

Not everyone, it's not uncommon for defenders to spend the whole match on the ground. I agree with the general premise though.

Not everyone, it's not uncommon for defenders to spend the whole match on the ground. I agree with the general premise though.

If the trainers need to they can focus on the guys who don't leave the ground as often, which was their original purpose I reckon.

Not everyone, it's not uncommon for defenders to spend the whole match on the ground. I agree with the general premise though.

Still can't understand why some forwards need to come off for a rest after they've kicked a goal. Wish they'd stay on a bit longer when they're on a roll.

If the trainers need to they can focus on the guys who don't leave the ground as often, which was their original purpose I reckon.

The trainers as I remember in my earlier days playing football were more about injuries and rubbing magic potions on. Later on when water became a fad their role increased to include being water boys.

Still can't understand why some forwards need to come off for a rest after they've kicked a goal. Wish they'd stay on a bit longer when they're on a roll.

Can someone help, I'd like an answer to this too.

Why, when you've done something good, and probably have an aderniline rush, must you come off.

I know when I'm pumped I go harder. Surely this natrual drug boost shouldn't be wasted.

I couldn't care less about players coming on and off, the number of trainers and runners on the ground, the number of rotations, the substitute, and the rest of the AFL non-issue issues.

I'd like to be more radical and ban runners altogether. (Although I recognise that if this were to occur, coaches would use trainers to carry messages anyway)

I'd like to be more radical and ban runners altogether. (Although I recognise that if this were to occur, coaches would use trainers to carry messages anyway)

Maybe they should only be allowed to employ mute runners :-)

Maybe they should only be allowed to employ mute runners :-)

Coaches are cunning and will do what they can to get around the rules. (I remember Terry Wallace when at the Bulldogs having one of his trainers dressed in clothing that looked a lot like a Melbourne jumper to cause confusion on the ground). I'm sure they'd find a way around this one, too.

Can someone help, I'd like an answer to this too.

Why, when you've done something good, and probably have an aderniline rush, must you come off.

I know when I'm pumped I go harder. Surely this natrual drug boost shouldn't be wasted.

LIKE! Smartest thing I have read all day!

Can someone help, I'd like an answer to this too.

Why, when you've done something good, and probably have an aderniline rush, must you come off.

I know when I'm pumped I go harder. Surely this natrual drug boost shouldn't be wasted.

Likely because whilst confidence and adrenaline would provide a boost for the next 5 or so minutes eventually fatigue would set in. A player on a natural boost is good but a player completely zapped of energy is so bad it more than cancels the good.

All players are trained now for short spurts on the ground of up to 10 minutes with a couple of minutes rest. The idea being the key defenders get their rest when the balls up the other end and same with the deep forwards who only have a couple of spells a game.

Certainly what I'd do is have a select group who I would say to avoid their rotation after a goal unless they are completely stuffed. That would be the full forward, forward pocket or other stay at home small. It's counter productive taking them off. But for the midfielders who have gone forward and kicked a goal it's probably more important to get a short rest so they can go back in the rotation. Injuries are also more likely to occur when fatigued.

Can someone help, I'd like an answer to this too.

Why, when you've done something good, and probably have an aderniline rush, must you come off.

I know when I'm pumped I go harder. Surely this natrual drug boost shouldn't be wasted.

Likely because whilst confidence and adrenaline would provide a boost for the next 5 or so minutes eventually fatigue would set in. A player on a natural boost is good but a player completely zapped of energy is so bad it more than cancels the good.

All players are trained now for short spurts on the ground of up to 10 minutes with a couple of minutes rest. The idea being the key defenders get their rest when the balls up the other end and same with the deep forwards who only have a couple of spells a game.

Certainly what I'd do is have a select group who I would say to avoid their rotation after a goal unless they are completely stuffed. That would be the full forward, forward pocket or other stay at home small. It's counter productive taking them off. But for the midfielders who have gone forward and kicked a goal it's probably more important to get a short rest so they can go back in the rotation. Injuries are also more likely to occur when fatigued.

So, master, take them off a few, maybe 3, minutes later, as the adrenaline starts to drop, but leave them for enough time for that same adrenaline to perhaps be used to advantage, should the cards fall right and the ball come forward from the bounce, not metabolized / excreted without a chance of it contributing.

PS I, and presumably you, am not a sports physiologist or sports psychologist so font actually know how this works in practice.

So, master, take them off a few, maybe 3, minutes later, as the adrenaline starts to drop, but leave them for enough time for that same adrenaline to perhaps be used to advantage, should the cards fall right and the ball come forward from the bounce, not metabolized / excreted without a chance of it contributing.

If certain players - e.g. mids - know that they must come off immediately after a goal, no message has to be sent to them, and their replacement will be standing at the boundary without any further message from the box. No surprises for anyone, no uncertainty.

If they are left on for three minutes, who's keeping time? Who decides to make the switch? Who tells the player? Clearly coaches prefer to automate the decision, rather than add tasks to game-time player management.

The bigger concern is that wether you are a runner/trainer/physio/doctor you must wear high via clothing. Home team yellow, away team orange and the umps can wear pink. Problem solved.

At least we won't have to watch our overweight and drastically unfit runners (well let's hope). I do feel sorry for them now not having a job, but I certainly use to find it embarrassing and unprofessional watching them struggle to get off the ground from time to time.

Arm VIP supporters with an air rifle to keep runner numbers down and crowd participation up,

If certain players - e.g. mids - know that they must come off immediately after a goal, no message has to be sent to them, and their replacement will be standing at the boundary without any further message from the box. No surprises for anyone, no uncertainty.

If they are left on for three minutes, who's keeping time? Who decides to make the switch? Who tells the player? Clearly coaches prefer to automate the decision, rather than add tasks to game-time player management.

I guess I was mainly referring to forwards, and to the player who actually kicks the goal. It just looks bad.

At least we won't have to watch our overweight and drastically unfit runners (well let's hope). I do feel sorry for them now not having a job, but I certainly use to find it embarrassing and unprofessional watching them struggle to get off the ground from time to time.

Are runners and trainers paid or volunteers?

Are runners and trainers paid or volunteers?

Hmmm I have no idea, if they are volunteers I take back what I said.

I was always under the impression they were paid.