Latest news with #CompetitionCommittee
News.com.au
19-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge shoots down Adelaide mentor Matthew Nicks over call for boundary throw-in change
The boundary throw-in needs to be protected at all costs according to Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge, who says he 'disagrees totally' with a call from Adelaide rival Matthew Nicks to scrap it in favour of a last-touch rule. Coaches could again have a say in the game's future as part of the reborn AFL Competition Committee, but Beveridge cast doubt on 'how quickly' changes would be made when needed. Earlier this week, Crows coach Nicks declared he didn't 'understand' the insufficient intent rule that can deliver free kicks to teams at the umpire's discretion and wanted the rule used in the SANFL brought in to the AFL. 'No matter where … if you handball or kick the ball over the line, it's a free kick to the opposition,' he said. 'It takes another decision away from umpires.' Beveridge, however, was vehement in his opposition to that idea despite conceding changes were needed as boundary throw-ins draw criticism. 'I disagree totally (with Nicks),' he said. 'As far as the AFL charter goes and the critical things in our game which have stood the test of time, the boundary throw is just a key aspect of our game, it's so important it's protected. 'I think it can be improved over the back end of the year and into next year. The umpires will work on how to improve the throw-ins. 'But it needs to be protected. Hopefully, we continue on with that part of the game.' The AFL confirmed on Wednesday that the Competition Committee would be reinstated to help guide the league's evolution, with input on key changes having been used previously to advise on things including rules. Beveridge said he'd 'consider it' if asked to join but said the capacity to bring about actual change would need to be clear. 'The thing about committees is how quickly can they turn around really importantly things that need to be delivered in project timelines and the season is one of those,' he said. 'There are still opportunities to change when things are important enough to change them. 'One of my questions would be, if they were considering anyone from our club, what is the mandate and what is the process look like to make key decision to benefit our game?'
News.com.au
17-06-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Senior AFL players could be involved in the re-born AFL Competition Committee
The AFL has made another big move towards leaning on clubs to guide the league future by reinstituting the AFL Competition Committee which could be loaded with senior players. Three years after leading players including Geelong captain Patrick Dangerfield were part of the committee, first introduced in 2018 to guide discussion around decision-making on key aspects of the future of the game, it's back. It comes after AFL CEO Andrew Dillon added two club bosses, Brisbane's Greg Swann and Sydney's Tom Harley, to the league executive, evidence of a nod to the information and experience coming out of clubland. Swann, the AFL's new football performance boss, football operations boss Laura Kane and AFL commissioner and veteran administrator Andrew Ireland will be key members of the new-look committee. That trio will be joined by a strong representation of names and faces from around the game to 'make assessments, canvass views, test theories and provide comments and recommendations regarding the AFL Competition'. Those views would then go to the AFL Commission, the ultimate decision maker. 'During its time, the AFL Competition Committee previously provided great insight and thinking around all aspects of the game and has helped shape the evolution of the game,' Dillon said. 'There is no one closer to the game than our players, coaches and key club personnel, and I'm keen for our football department to continue building on these relationships across the board. 'Beyond the members of the committee, I want to continue to engage a broader group consisting of past players and media, to provide their feedback and insights so we can collect as much information as we can and workshop it. Then, from a head office point of view, we can move quickly and appropriately on the things that are most important and need to be implemented going forward.'
CBS News
21-05-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Detroit Lions reportedly withdraw proposal to change NFL playoff seeding format
The Detroit Lions have withdrawn their proposal to change the NFL playoff seeding format after feeling little support, CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones reported. The Lions proposed ranking seeds based on the team's overall season record instead of division wins after the 2024 regular season, when the Minnesota Vikings were the No. 5 seed in the NFC despite having a better record than the No. 3 Buccaneers and No. 4 Rams. The Lions ended the regular season with a 15-2 record and the No. 1 seed after beating the Vikings in Week 18. If the proposed rule had been in place last season, the Lions would have remained the No.1 seed; however, the Vikings, which had a 14-3 record, would have been right behind Detroit. Super Bowl champs, the Philadelphia Eagles, also had a 14-3 record. To pass, all proposals submitted to the NFL Competition Committee must be approved by at least 24 of the 32 NFL owners. Meanwhile, the Lions were among several teams that opposed the "tush push" ban proposed by the Green Bay Packers. The play, which the Eagles widely use, allows players to line up behind and around the quarterback and push him forward for short yards. On Wednesday, the proposed ban failed to reach the 75% required to pass with a 22-10 vote. The Eagles were one of the teams that also voted against the ban.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Tush Push remains alive after owners vote comes up short
Tush Push remains alive after owners vote comes up short originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia The Tush Push is still alive. The Eagles' signature play is staying after the Packers' proposal failed to get the 24 votes required to ban it at the owners meetings in Minneapolis, Dianna Russini of The Athletic first reported. It was close — 22-10, according to multiple reports. Advertisement The Eagles spent their offseason lobbying to keep the play and continued that on Wednesday morning in Minneapolis. Eagles legend Jason Kelce joined Jeffrey Lurie in an effort to keep the play legal. It worked. The Packers first proposed a rule change that would ban the Tush Push earlier this offseason but it didn't get enough support at the owners meetings in Palm Beach, Florida. The proposal didn't get to an official vote in Florida. Opinions were reportedly split 16-16 among the 32 owners and it was clear the proposal wouldn't reach the 24 necessary votes, so it was tabled until this week. The Eagles were aware of the vote coming down this week but they weren't focused on it as they continue their offseason workouts. Advertisement 'We can't control that so we don't even worry about that,' left tackle Jordan Mailata said on Tuesday. 'Right now, we're just installing our schemes. Whatever [offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo] is installing that day, that's what we're focused on. Because worrying about whether they're going to ban the Tush Push or not ain't going to win us another championship. What we do every day here matters.' Just ahead of this week's meetings, the Packers tweaked their proposal to broaden the language and basically reintroduce the rule from before the 2004 season when pushing or pulling of any runner was prohibited. This alteration seemed likely based on comments from Competition Committee chairman Rich McKay a couple months ago. McKay has said that the Competition Committee doesn't like to make rules that affect just one or two teams and it seems like the broadening of the language sufficed for that goal in their minds. Although, if you're the Eagles, this obviously feels like an attack on a play simply because it has been successful. Because of all that, it seemed likely the play would be banned. But the Eagles successfully lobbied to keep it. Advertisement While other teams have attempted the Tush Push, no other team has been nearly as good at it as the Eagles since they began running it frequently in 2022. 'All I know is everything we're doing is legal and it works,' Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said way back in March of 2023. 'And just because people do something that's really good, doesn't mean it should be outlawed.' In their proposal, the Packers cited player safety but NFL vice president of football operations Troy Vincent is on record saying there were zero injuries on the play in 2024. Some detractors of the play — like Bills head coach Sean McDermott — have spoken about being proactive to prevent future injuries. That was a hard sell for the Eagles. Advertisement 'We've been very open to whatever data exists on the Tush Push and there's just been no data that shows that it isn't a very, very safe play,' Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie said in early April. 'If it weren't, we wouldn't be pushing the Tush Push. 'But I think, first of all, it's a precision play. It's very practiced. We devote a lot of resources to the Tush Push. We think we have an unusual use of personnel because we have a quarterback (Jalen Hurts) that can squat over 600 pounds and an offensive line that's filled with All-Pro players. That combination with incredible, detailed coaching with Coach (Jeff) Stoutland, has created a play we can be very successful at. There's other ways of gaining that half yard, that yard. There's quarterback sneaks, other types, but we've been very, very good at it.' It's worth noting that after the proposal was tabled in early April, McKay said the 30-40 minute discussion went beyond player safety and into the realm of aesthetics. When asked about that argument a couple months ago, Lurie scoffed. 'You know what?' Lurie said. 'I remember reading about the forward pass and they said it really was an odd play that is no part of American football. It was controversial when the forward pass came out.' Advertisement Head coach Nick Sirianni has pushed back against the notion that the play is automatic because he knows how hard the Eagles have worked to perfect it. He has also worked tirelessly to protect the play by adding different wrinkles. The Eagles would have likely been very good at traditional quarterback sneaks had this proposal passed. They have a tremendous offensive line and a really strong quarterback in Jalen Hurts. But they don't have to worry about that. Their signature play is sticking around.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Barcelona could launch appeal after Real Madrid talisman's red card gets overturned
Real Madrid received a major boost ahead of the next El Clasico as Jude Bellingham's red card, shown after the Copa del Rey final, has been officially annulled by the Competition Committee. However, according to a report from SPORT, Barcelona are unhappy with the decision and are even considering appealing the outcome. However, the facts of the case point clearly in Madrid's favour. Advertisement It must be noted that Bellingham was sent off after the final whistle, not for any violent conduct or action during the game itself, but for expressing his disagreement with the referee's decisions. His reaction—emotional but far from physically aggressive—was clearly influenced by the high-stakes nature of the match. Upon reviewing the incident, both the referee's final report and video footage confirmed that the midfielder did not act in an intimidating or threatening way. Jude Bellingham was sent off in Copa del Rey final. (Photo by) The Competition Committee's decision was based on those facts, and as such, the red card was rightly rescinded. Barcelona's argument Barcelona's claim that this creates a competitive imbalance appears to be more rooted in frustration than in logic. Advertisement The governing bodies exist to assess each case individually, and in this instance, the evidence did not support the severity of the initial punishment. To argue that a player should be suspended just because he plays for a rival team or might influence a future match sets a dangerous precedent. Bellingham's availability is simply the result of justice being served, not favouritism. It would be inappropriate to uphold a ban just to maintain some perception of 'competitive balance'. If the shoe were on the other foot, and a Barcelona player had a red card overturned on similar grounds, the club would likely celebrate it as fairness in action.
