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He'll probably get a big fine, that the club will pay and the AFL will reimburse them in full for....

Runners should be outlawed full stop. They are a blight on the game. I can't think of any other game where people run on/off the field like AFL. International vistors always comment on it - 'who are those guys out there!'

They block space, tell players how long left in a quarter and basically coach from on ground. It'stotally ridiculous. Get rid of them.

It's a relic from another age when communications were not there, we had captain/coaches and no interchange. I'll make an exception for water carriers because players do run a lot and the carriers I think are only allowed on after a goal is scored or other break in play...

 

 

 
15 minutes ago, jnrmac said:

Runners should be outlawed full stop. They are a blight on the game. I can't think of any other game where people run on/off the field like AFL. International vistors always comment on it - 'who are those guys out there!'

They block space, tell players how long left in a quarter and basically coach from on ground. It'stotally ridiculous. Get rid of them.

It's a relic from another age when communications were not there, we had captain/coaches and no interchange. I'll make an exception for water carriers because players do run a lot and the carriers I think are only allowed on after a goal is scored or other break in play...

 

 

Get rid of interchange rotations or runners. 

Don’t need both

38 minutes ago, jnrmac said:

Runners should be outlawed full stop. They are a blight on the game. I can't think of any other game where people run on/off the field like AFL. International vistors always comment on it - 'who are those guys out there!'

They block space, tell players how long left in a quarter and basically coach from on ground. It'stotally ridiculous. Get rid of them.

It's a relic from another age when communications were not there, we had captain/coaches and no interchange. I'll make an exception for water carriers because players do run a lot and the carriers I think are only allowed on after a goal is scored or other break in play...

 

 

If we retain water carriers and ban runners, the water carriers will become defacto runners. I'd like to ban the water carriers, too, but I suspect that could end up endangering players' health. Although, perhaps the players could run to the boundary for a drink each time there's a break instead of the water carriers running on to the ground.


The AFL should not only ban a runner for infringing but also ban the club from fielding a runner for the duration of the penalty.

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Just keep runners/drink carriers off the field during play.  Let them on only when a goal is scored or when there is a major injury, perhaps also the blood rule, perhaps not.  If a player needs a drink or advice at other times, then can run to the boundary, either of their own volition or being summoned by the drink carrier/runner.  With modern technology runners don't have to start from the bench.  They could occupy the position of ball carriers. The 2 roles could merge though I expect runners need to relate better to coaches and players than drink carriers.

But is the AFL threatening Sydney FC or the runner in question?  And what will be the penalty if he/club infringes again?

Edited by sue

Yep, runners and drink carriers should be banned on the ground while ball is in play. Medicos only permitted on when player is suspected of being injured and cannot make their own way to the interchange

 

Runners should be used after goals for a quick message. Lewis on 360 stated players that come back on after a quick spell pass messages on to teammates.

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44 minutes ago, Moonshadow said:

Yep, runners and drink carriers should be banned on the ground while ball is in play. Medicos only permitted on when player is suspected of being injured and cannot make their own way to the interchange

That's going a bit far.  Medicos have to approach the player to make a diagnosis and perhaps stop the player from trying to stay on or even run off.  So it will be a 'danger' that physios and quacks could take on runner duties while searching for fake injuries, but I think such deceptions will become transparent pretty quickly.

Edited by sue


2 hours ago, sue said:

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-07-19/afl-slaps-swans-with-warning-over-runner-laidler

So Sydney given first and FINAL warning.  Does anyone know if they have been told the consequences of doing it again?  Or can we expect rules made on the fly courtesy of the AFL?  (And probably applied to another team....)

Is there any doubt?

1 hour ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

If we retain water carriers and ban runners, the water carriers will become defacto runners. I'd like to ban the water carriers, too, but I suspect that could end up endangering players' health. Although, perhaps the players could run to the boundary for a drink each time there's a break instead of the water carriers running on to the ground.

Turn the sprinklers on at intervals mid-game? You want a drink? Stand still for a while underneath the sprinkler. Josh Jenkins would be the most hydrated man in footy!

While the runners are on the ground a team has 19 effective men on the ground filling space. I suggest that the afl should allow as many runners on the ground as the coaches decide but, for the time that each runner spends on the field, a player must leave the field and sit on the bench. Exceptions only for breaks due to goals and other interruptions.

The coaches will try to find a way to game the system but, with the prospect of fewer than 18 players on the ground , they should give up and learn to pass messages through the interchange.

 

If you look at other sports, managers/coaches have ways to get information out to their players on a regular basis that our coaches don't have.  Take the NBA for example - the coach is literally on the sideline the entire time and is able to help call plays/give advice whenever they want, not to mention calling timeouts when things aren't going there way or when they want to make a change.  

Soccer managers are able to stand on the touchline and bark out orders all game, and when there is a stop in play they can call players over and talk tactics with them.  Our coaches can't do that unless they come off for a rotation.

I know there will be other examples, but the runner is our codes way of being able to convey messages during a game that the coach up in the box cannot do.  I agree that there needs to be some set rules about it, and I think when they are allowed on the ground needs to be looked at, but I don't think runners are a relic of a bygone era, nor do I think they are obsolete.  It's just our codes way of allowing coaches to get messages to players during a game, something many other codes and sports allow as well, just in different ways.

Game has evolved...get rid of runners....get rid of half the umps out there too ;)


3 minutes ago, beelzebub said:

Game has evolved...get rid of runners....get rid of half the umps out there too ;)

don't you men devolved, bub?

I seem to be alone in liking that runners are out there and that they are able to do shifty stuff like guard space. It creates a talking point during the week, kind of like holding the ball interpretatioms, the MRO and its various interpretations of similar actions that keep us talking. I also like that suspensions caused by misdemeanours and accidental or careless acts make players ineligible for Brownlows and apply to both regular seasom and finals so that the MRP manufacture a reason why the player should not be suspended, while creating precedents that create talking points for years to come. The AFL media machine is genious. 

11 minutes ago, chookrat said:

I seem to be alone in liking that runners are out there and that they are able to do shifty stuff like guard space. It creates a talking point during the week, kind of like holding the ball interpretatioms, the MRO and its various interpretations of similar actions that keep us talking. I also like that suspensions caused by misdemeanours and accidental or careless acts make players ineligible for Brownlows and apply to both regular seasom and finals so that the MRP manufacture a reason why the player should not be suspended, while creating precedents that create talking points for years to come. The AFL media machine is genious. 

its wot oi liv for 2

Gil has an addiction to changing rules, most to the detriment of the game and only to  the benefit of his giant ego.

Here is a worthwhile one.

A runner may go onto the ground say three times per quarter, deliver ONE message to ONE player, and leave the ground within ONE minute.  The runner must never be closer than 50 metres from the play / the ball.  Not allowed on the ground during the time on period.

Any breach, including staying on the ground for 61 seconds, results is a free kick at the top of the goal square.

This would result in a very dramatic change of coaching tactics.

Waterboys have similar restrictions and penalties re closeness to the play / ball, and must not speak to the player other than to offer them water.

 

AFTERTHOUGHT:

A perhaps more radical option would be to have the captain wired with an earpiece, allowing the coach to communicate with him and him alone.  He can pass messages on when as as he finds a way.  Good for on field leadership.

 

Edited by monoccular
AFTERTHOUGHT

And then the Captain can use a carrier pigeon to pass on messages to the full back or they can rig up an elaborate tin can and string system. 


1 minute ago, Ethan Tremblay said:

And then the Captain can use a carrier pigeon to pass on messages to the full back or they can rig up an elaborate tin can and string system. 

Ethan. Why do I get the impression that you are not taking my suggestion seriously?

The captain is (or should be) the on field leader and would have to find a way.  Yes, it would entrench mids and on ballers as captains.  

7 minutes ago, monoccular said:

Ethan. Why do I get the impression that you are not taking my suggestion seriously?

The captain is (or should be) the on field leader and would have to find a way.  Yes, it would entrench mids and on ballers as captains.  

I think it would put you off your game, not just listening to a coach in your ear but having a plug in your ear and waiting for someone to speak into it. They have enough on their plate as Captain without having to be concerned with passing on extra messages from the coaches. 

You can’t get rid of the water bottle carrier person, just merge their role with the runner. 

Edited by Ethan Tremblay

1 hour ago, Ethan Tremblay said:

And then the Captain can use a carrier pigeon to pass on messages to the full back or they can rig up an elaborate tin can and string system. 

I do notice all the pigeons at the MCG guarding space pretending to be pecking at grass seeds. They won’t move for anyone. 

Edited by america de cali

 

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