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SHAUN REHN does not expect new rules introduced by the AFL to have a significant impact on the way ruck contests play out around the ground in 2013.
Speaking exclusively to PortAdelaideFC.com.au, the Port Adelaide midfield assistant coach and former premiership ruckman said he expects players like Power big man Jarrad Redden to benefit from the new rules.
[ Related: Rules to change in 2013 ]
“I would imagine it’s going to favour a bigger, stronger ruckman who isn’t able to be positioned or have someone fight for front position on him before the ball goes up in the air,” Rehn told PortAdelaideFC.com.au.
“Once the ball is in the air, if he establishes position then a smaller or more agile opponent is going to have to come and do some body work on that player to be able to beat him.
“That sort of stuff is normally done before the ball is bounced so if they’ve only got that short time, if a big guy gets in front and puts his arm out it’s going to be very difficult for another ruckman to have an influence.”
Changes to the laws of the game always generate a healthy debate on the way football will adapt to them, however Rehn believes that teams will find the transition less difficult given recent NAB Cup trials.
“You would think that it won’t have a huge impact,” said Rehn.
“I think that ruckmen adjusted to it in the pre-season especially from the boundary throw-ins quite well.”
One of the most noticeable changes next year will be the scrapping of umpires bouncing the ball in general play in favour of a ‘ball up.’
[ Related: New rules explained ]
Rehn anticipates a much quicker process of restarting the game with umpires spending less time preparing for a bounce.
While the rule may speed the game up, it could also give teams less time to restructure at stoppages.
“It [ball ups] may contribute to less congestion around the stoppage,” he said.
“I’d imagine it just narrows the amount of time for any team to get to a stoppage, set up and actually be prepared to surround it in a fashion that they would like to.
“It may be more random.”
The new rules will come into effect for the first round of the NAB Cup in February 2013.
“It [ball ups] may contribute to less congestion around the stoppage,” he said.
“I’d imagine it just narrows the amount of time for any team to get to a stoppage, set up and actually be prepared to surround it in a fashion that they would like to.
“It may be more random.”
The new rules will come into effect for the first round of the NAB Cup in February 2013.
