New AFL football operations boss Greg Swann has made it clear that overhauling the rules of the game is a high priority of his, and Hawthorn great Shane Crawford’s latest idea may catch the attention of the former Brisbane CEO.
Crawford played a decorated 305 games during his career with the Hawks, winning both a Brownlow medal and a premiership during his 17 seasons.
Since retiring in 2008, Crawford has transitioned into a career in the media, where on his latest venture with former teammate Buddy Franklin, he presented how he would help eradicate time wasting in games.
“I think the 30 seconds has got to come down to 20 seconds when having a shot for goal," he said on the Buddy & Shane Show.
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“Because I feel like players are wasting too much time.
“It doesn't take you 30 seconds to go back and then come in and have a shot for goal.
"So I think you need to put it to 20, and then on top of that, if you’re outside 50 and you say to the umpire ‘I’m gonna go for goal,’ and you pass it off… it’s a free kick against.”
Players are currently afforded a 30-second shot clock when attempting a set shot at goal, while the decision to take time off-the-clock by pretending to go for goal from long range is one that has often been exploited in late-game scenarios when teams are looking to protect a lead.
Despite only just getting comfortable at AFL House, Greg Swann has already promised to take a look at a number of rules ahead of next season, telling AFL 360 last week that the sub rule, the stand rule, and the centre bounce will all be reviewed over the coming months.