AFL
Matt Walsh, Assistant Editor 4y

AFL confirms 16-minute quarters for rest of 2020, mulls bigger benches

AFL

AFL head of football operations Steve Hocking has confirmed 16-minute quarters will remain for the rest of the 2020 AFL season, while the league was still weighing up an expanded interchange as a way to lessen the stress of a return-to-play scenario.

Speaking to the media via Zoom, Hocking said the shortened quarters were here to stay for this season, as a way to ensure players are not overworked as they prepare to return to work after a layoff of more than 10 weeks. 

Initially, they were brought in ahead of Round 1 because the AFL anticipated teams to play multiple matches in a week, but the measure will remain in place despite teams suiting up once a week.

"I think it's really important to reinforce what we've considered, which is 16-minute quarters. Those changes were approved by the AFL commission leading into Round 1 because of the agility and flexibility we required," Hocking said.

"As Gillon McLachlan has gone on the record many times, the way we start is not the way we finish. It's been really important to make sure that we look after our playing cohort and that their health and well-being is supported.

"We believe, as far as loading goes, we've had a significant disruption to the game and shutdown of the game. For those players to be at the best that they can be and to have the game at the best it can be, in 2020 only we felt that we needed to make those changes."

Meanwhile Hocking also said the league was "still considering" extending the interchange by one or two players as a way to further take stress away from players' bodies once the action resumes. Players were only cleared for contact training on Monday, with the season to resume shortly on June 11.

"It's the only thing we're considering as a potential final change or amendment to the game and we'll certainly confirm that leading into Round 2.

"The week leading into round two is when that will be finalised. But I just want to back over that and let the fans know, there's no further changes beyond what we are currently considering and working through with the coaches."

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