AFL Rule Changes Accelerate Game Speed, Putting 'Roadblock' Midfielders on Notice
Kane Cornes has issued a stark warning to 'roadblock' midfielders in the AFL, highlighting how recent rule changes are increasing the speed of the game and fundamentally reshaping what is required of players. The stand rule, introduced as a lightning rod for debate, has undeniably shifted ball movement dynamics, while evolving tackling interpretations over several years have further contributed to this transformation.
Midfielders Under Scrutiny as Game Demands Evolve
Cornes expressed concern for slower, handball-first midfielders who struggle to find targets by foot, coining the term 'roadblock' to describe players who may now hinder their teams. 'We've all heard about the list clogger, but I want to introduce a new term to football — and that is the roadblock,' Cornes stated on Channel 7's The Agenda Setters. He emphasized that while such players were 'terrific back in the day' and 'magnificent in the early 2000s, even five years ago,' the current pace of the game poses significant challenges.
The power, running capabilities, and high-speed demands on midfielders have become critical for success. 'If you do not have that, and if you're a ball-stopping mid, a roadblock, you're in all sorts of trouble,' Cornes added, noting that the jury is out on future Hall of Famer Patrick Cripps as a high-profile example. 'But the next little iteration of his career is going to be interesting,' he remarked.
Players on Watch List as Speed Becomes Paramount
Cornes identified several players who are now on notice, including premiership-winning Brisbane young gun Levi Ashcroft, who has an asterisk due to being in just his second year. 'Levi's on watch,' Cornes said. 'He needs to really explode from stoppage. I think at the moment he's hack kicking too much.' Other names featured on the list are:
- Jacob Hopper (Richmond)
- George Hewett (Carlton)
- Darcy Parish (Essendon)
- Ned Long (Collingwood)
- Willem Drew (Port Adelaide)
Additionally, concerns were raised for new recruits Clayton Oliver (GWS), James Worpel (Geelong), and Sam Flanders (St Kilda). Daisy Thomas humorously called out the inclusion of Drew, joking, 'Willem Drew's a tagger — he's one of yours!' However, Cornes defended the list, stating that all these names 'speak for themselves.'
Future Implications for AFL Midfield Strategies
Cornes concluded by stressing the essential attributes for modern midfielders. 'If you don't have speed, if you don't have power, if you can't get out of the contest, if you're a high handball, low kick, low-penetration player, you're in trouble,' he asserted. 'Those players are on notice.' This analysis underscores how AFL rule changes are not only accelerating gameplay but also forcing a reevaluation of player roles and team strategies, potentially reshaping midfield compositions across the league.
