THE timing could not be more perfect for the AFL to commit to a new quarter length for 2021 and beyond.
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The extraordinary 2020 season has provided a number of challenges for the league, but it has also unearthed some silver linings which could shape the future of the game.
Now is the time to make a permanent change.
The ideal length of time for quarters is 18 minutes, with time on of course.
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This year the AFL has used 16 minutes, plus time on, to allow for condensed games like we have seen in the two footy frenzies this year.
This is too short and doesn't seem to fatigue sides as much and open up games as much we would like.
The traditional length of 20 minutes with time on seemed perfect for so long but now it's time to put it away for good and opt for shorter quarters.
It has been well noted the AFL has struggled with scoring in recent years with team defences taking control of games leading to low-scoring affairs.
Kath Loughnan and former St Kilda midfielder Leigh Montagna agreed on Fox Footy's First Crack on Sunday night the traditional length had run its course.
Loughnan said "everyone has gotten used to it now" and wondered whether viewers had sat there and wished the quarter to be over.
But Montagna sums up perfectly why this is the time to make the change.
"I'm hoping this year has broken the back of the traditionalists that have always been the ones that have tried to stifle innovation," he said.
"Whether it's a night grand final, whether its shorter quarters or the way we can do things to improve the product of the game.
"We have these traditionalists who are all anti-moving forward but I can see us playing slightly shorter quarters, night grand finals will become regular, mid-week games, double headers on Friday nights and things like that.
"I think this year has really turned the corner so we can move past the traditional things we have loved for a hundred years and move forward to improve the game."
The time is now to try something different so the ball's in your hands Gil.
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Sean Hardeman
I'm a sports journalist for the Warrnambool Standard who covers a number of different sports across the south-west of Victoria. I enjoy watching cycling, surfing, football, soccer and Formula 1.
I'm a sports journalist for the Warrnambool Standard who covers a number of different sports across the south-west of Victoria. I enjoy watching cycling, surfing, football, soccer and Formula 1.
