I would like to draw your attention to the AFL's Mission Statement taken directly from the AFL website.
AFL Mission Statement
The AFL exists to:
1. Manage the national competition to ensure it is the most successful national elite sports competition for the benefit of our key stakeholders - our AFL clubs, players and the public.
2. Promote high levels of player participation in well-managed programs down to the grassroots level.
3. Promote public interest in the game by building the strongest consumer brand position in Australian sport.
4. Attract and develop the most talented athletes and sports administrators.
5. Foster good citizenship, both on and off the playing field.
I would more particularly like to draw your attention to statement 1. and more acutely to the description of your key stakeholders.
You cannot hear or read anything about a round or a game without at some point one of your key stakeholders complaining about these new rules. No matter which radio station you tune into, which paper you pick up or which website you log onto you will find something from a current player or a supporter complaining about the hands in the back rule and/or the arm chopping rule.
At a stage of the season where we should be talking about what the season will hold for our beloved team, the newcomers, such as the great debut of Rhys Palmer, and the like, we are talking about how it is almost impossible for a defender to do what his name implies as he is not allowed to spoil the ball anymore. And how a free kick can be paid for incidental contact in a contest.
Going to or watching a game these days is like being in Pacha in Ibiza with the amount of whistling going on. All you are missing is the glow sticks and disco biscuits... unless you are at a game featuring the mob up the road.
I believe that the Rules of the Game Committee have tried to make the rules black and white in the best interest of the umpires. The thought was that if they took the interpretation aspect out of the whistle blowers hands they would cop less flak for what is a pretty tough job. Unfortunately sometimes the best of intentions are misplaced. Just look at the people who crucified Jesus. And I am not talking about the umpires every time he walks out on to a footy ground.
It used to be the case that umpires got abused when the made a mistake but now they are copping it for when they get a decision 100% correct. It is dangerous working conditions.
Please leave the rules alone. In fact please go further than that and repeal the above-mentioned laws which have caused unparalleled united angst among usually divided sets of foes!
It is not only your public duty as custodian of our great game, but in this corporate world in which the AFL now operates, it is also your corporate duty. You see... it is right up there in your Mission Statement.