AFL finally making move to stamp out gut punches
The ugly off-the-ball act — where are a player whacks another player in the stomach — has long being tolerated in the league, with players only receiving a slap on the wrist when caught.
But it is a blight on the game, it looks dirty, and Swann has had enough.
'Guys punching guys in the guts — give them a week (suspension),' Swann said on SEN on Tuesday.
'It probably has stopped a little bit (this year) but if we did (banned players) then it stops completely.'
Swann said it was poor looked and was copied by lower leagues and younger players.
'Everything that happens at the elite level filters down to the juniors and you just don't want those things,' he said.
Swann also has the sub rule in his sights.
'Clubs don't like it. We'll have a look at that,' he said.
'It will be about the stats again, if you lose players in the first or second quarter and how that affects your ability to win games.
'Does that change if you've got four on the bench or five?
'I think we'll have a look at that.'
Swann also wants to clean up free kicks in the ruck, and get the ruckmen jumping at the ball again.
'I've been really impressed by the amount of data in the AFL. In the centre bounce ruck contest, only one in 5 is a jump. The other four (contests), they walk across the line and wrestle,' Swann said on Triple M's Mick in the Morning.
AFL great Nick Riewoldt then asked Swann if he would like to see ruck aerial work make a comeback.
'I think so. I don't think it's good for the game (to lose the ruck jump),' he said
'When they do cross the line and grab each other, it's like chook lotto when they blow the whistle, 'Who is getting the free?' ... because they're both wrestling, they're both holding, and I think it's going to stop.
'That's something we're going to look at.
'As a code, we haven't been strong in communicating what's going on. So, let's put the stuff out there: if we make a decision, let's explain it – if we get something wrong, let's own up to it.'
Changes to the father-son rule and academy bidding have also been flagged by the new footy boss, as well as making games shorter.
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