Congestion ... Brad Sewell is happy with the game as it is. Source: Joe Castro / AAP
While AFL chief Andrew Demetriou could not be more adamant about the forthcoming interchange cap, players and pundits continue to debate the extent of influence it will have on the game from 2014.
Speaking candidly on Tuesday’s edition of AFL 360 on FOX FOOTY, Hawthorn’s Brad Sewell and Western Bulldog Robert Murphy aired their concerns.
“It seems that when a lot of the rule changes are made, the last consideration is the players’ welfare,” Sewell said.
“So much of it has gone into the spectacle and what the fans want in trying to make it as aesthetically pleasing - which is all good and well - but (the game) will be almost unrecognisable to what it was 10, 15, 20 years ago if it just keeps continuing.”
Demetriou has confirmed that an interchange cap will be introduced in 2014, but the specific number is up for debate with 80 being trialled in this season’s NAB Cup.
“Eighty is absolutely horrendous for the players and the coaches trying to manage it,” Sewell added.
“If the cap goes into the (home and away) season, you cannot afford to carry anyone into a game. You’re hamstrung if somebody goes down or if there’s a bit of a niggle and the stress that places on the rest of the side.”
Bulldog Robert Murphy echoed the sentiment of the Hawthorn midfielder.
“You want the best players at their best,” Murphy said.
“I don’t mind the cap. The cap for me is not the problem. It’s the number. Eighty just seems too low. Everyone wants what’s best for the game and we should be able to find the number.”
Sewell also questioned the AFL’s motives for continued rule changes, implying the league was beholden to a whim to appease fans.
“The game looks great, but if the best players can’t be out there week in, week out, what does that do to the game? They (fans) go to see a specific handful of players every week, the guns. It’s already been hinted those players can’t play every week because you can’t get through a full year.”
“One of the great things about our game is that from Aaron Sandilands to Lewis Jetta, it encompasses every kind of athlete we have. If we start flirting with that it would be a tragedy.”
One of the arguments for introducing an interchange cap is the reduced congestion, but Murphy doesn’t think it’s an issue.
“I’m not convinced the so called (congestion) problems will be fixed by an interchange cap,” he said.
“Last year’s grand final, that for me captures what a great game of football is.
“It had elements of that (congestion) and it had the other, where it was open and one-on-one. You’re going to have games that will be vastly different and I think there are enough great games not to change it too drastically.”
What do you think? If the AFL has committed to introducing an interchange cap from 2014, what should the number be? What impact will it have on the game?
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