AFL Operations Manager discusses the major issues facing the game
The AFL has denied that it is planning to demolish Etihad Stadium.
A proposal arose early on Wednesday that would see Etihad flattened and rebuilt closer to the MCG.
But AFL Operations Manager Mark Evans said he’d rather upgrade it than destroy it.
In a wide-ranging interview, Evans gave his thoughts on numerous topics, including:
THE FUTURE OF ETIHAD
‘No real plans to bulldoze Etihad, more thoughts about upgrading it.
‘The one thing we need to do is look at upgrading the experience for fans and keeping that more exciting than staying home.’
WARM-UP v CURTAIN-RAISER
‘A curtain-raiser doesn’t make sense if that game finishes well before well before most of the crowd get there.
‘There’s no doubt you’ll be better prepared for the game if you get a chance to run out in the conditions. It’s become such a structured part of the routine.
‘It’s altered on Grand Final day, and people seem to cope with that.’
RULE CHANGES
‘You don’t just throw them around for the sake of it. You only do it if you think you can make an improvement to the game.
‘We’d like more scoring, we’d like more flow of ball movement.’
ILLICIT DRUGS POLICY
‘The real long-standing changes come from cultural moves.
‘When clubs and players decide there’s something they want to address, that’s where you get the best traction.’