Simpson urges AFL to relax new runner laws

Coaches have become frustrated at the crackdown on the use of runners this year and West Coast coach Adam Simpson wants the AFL to relax the rules.

Adam Simpson.

West Coast coach Adam Simpson wants a relaxation of the AFL's new rules concerning on-field runners. (AAP)

West Coast premiership coach Adam Simpson has urged the AFL to soften the rules on runners, saying it's become too hard to get messages out to players.

The AFL tightened up on the use of runners ahead of this season, allowing them only to enter the field of play after a goal has been kicked.

The runner must then return to the bench before the next centre bounce.

The new rule has made life difficult for coaches, many of whom are now stationing themselves on the bench so they can relay messages direct to players.

Simpson doesn't like the current set-up, and believes it would be better for the game if each team was given two chances to use their runners during play per quarter.

"Twice a quarter I'd love to use the runners from a strategic point of view," Simpson said.

"Give us a minute to get them on and off, and let us try to change the game.

"Quite often the conversations we are having in the box is how do we score more.

"And waiting for a goal to be kicked ... to send out all these messages - it's difficult to do.

"A goal gets kicked, 'what are we doing?', and by the time you've worked it out, the runner's gone on and come off.

"So if we can get a runner for one minute twice a quarter, that would be great. We are getting quarters now when there's only one goal kicked."

West Coast will be aiming to notch their fifth straight win when they host the Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium on Sunday.

The Eagles will be bolstered by the return of Lewis Jetta from suspension.

West Coast speedster Jack Petruccelle has booted just one goal in his past two games, but Simpson has been happy with the 20-year-old's work off the ball.

"A lot of the stuff he's doing is a bit like what Liam Ryan is doing," Simpson said.

"It's dangerous to just judge those half-forwards on what you see on TV and the scoreboard presence that they have.

"Making the most of their opportunities is really important, and we want them to hit the scoreboard.

"But their pressure and the way they run and support and outnumber - that's the priority. He's doing that at the moment."


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Source: AAP


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