Moving the pace of the game at any cost and trying to make Aussie rules what is not should not be the AFL’s primary objective. The important aspect is to play the game to the spirit of the rules and for umpires to pay consistent free kicks even if it means slowing the game down. Most of the ‘rule interpretation’ frees paid these days involve ‘incorrect disposal’ of the ball and ‘prior opportunity’ infringements which need to be reviewed and umpired with zero tolerance.
The AFL has been very fortunate so far that frustrated supporters haven’t invaded grounds nor have players and umpires been harmed, but if moving forward, the basic rules of the game aren’t strictly enforced through consistent umpiring decisions, it will only be a matter of time before something ugly happens on an AFL footy field.
It would never pass scrutiny and I hesitate to imagine what would happen if the World Cup (soccer tournament) was refereed on the ‘interpretation’ of the rules!