AFL is destroying its own ‘rock art’: Former chairman’s pointed warning on bounce

5 days ago 6

Former AFL chairman and Carlton great Mike Fitzpatrick has expressed disappointment in the league’s decision to remove the centre bounce from 2026 and hopes that this change is temporary.

Calling the bounce a “unique” feature of the game, Fitzpatrick said he hoped the removal of the bounce was an “experiment” rather than a permanent change.

Umpire Andrew Stephens bounces the ball during last week’s grand final between the Brisbane Lions and Geelong. The league has canned the bounce from 2026.

Fitzpatrick was a steadfast defender of the centre bounce and fought successfully for its retention during his time on the AFL Commission as chairman, when he took a strong interest in the rules of the game.

He also drew a light-hearted comparison between the centre bounce and the rock art that resources giant Woodside has been accused of damaging via emissions from the company’s gas plant in Karratha, Western Australia. Woodside is chaired by Fitzpatrick’s successor as AFL chairman, Richard Goyder.

“The AFL has to be careful it doesn’t destroy its own rock art,” said Fitzpatrick, adding, “it’s disappointing, let’s see how it is.”

Fitzpatrick, a triple premiership ruckman with the Blues and dual premiership captain, is also an advocate for ruck craft. He was a relatively short ruckman who could leap and position himself to win hitouts during his storied playing career.

“I think it’s one of the unique aspects of the game, and it’s disappointing to see it gone,” said Fitzpatrick of the bounce’s demise.

“Hopefully, it’s just an experiment.”

Fitzpatrick, however, favoured the AFL’s potential change of making last disposal between the arcs an automatic free, irrespective of the player’s intentions.

“If you’re going to experiment, first touch [disposal] between the arcs is worth a try.”

While opposed to the AFL’s decision to scrap the centre bounce – a decision the AFL said was for the sake of ensuring umpires could focus on decision-making rather than a bouncing skill – Fitzpatrick was impressed by the reform approach adopted by new football operations boss and veteran club chief executive Greg Swann, who had pushed for the bounce’s eradication, alongside the removal of the substitute, and has foreshadowed more changes to improve the game on-field.

“It’s good to see Greg Swann being prepared to make some calls,” Fitzpatrick said.

Fitzpatrick was the figure most responsible for the hands-in-the-back rule for marking contests – another rule to have been scrapped after his time at the helm.

Explaining the rationale for the bounce’s demise on Wednesday, Swann said umpire pathways “are being narrowed by the requirement of the bounce”.

Former AFL chairman Mike Fitzpatrick disagrees with the decision to remove the centre bounce from the game in 2026.

“It is a difficult skill to execute, and we believe is preventing some of our best umpiring prospects from progressing any further in the AFL pathway, despite having elite decision-making skills,” he said.

“By removing the skill aspect of bouncing the ball, umpires can focus their energy on adjudicating the game and consistency of decision-making.”

Swann also said the decision would reduce the likelihood of contact between players and umpires, improving umpire safety, would reduce game length and produce a fairer ruck contest.

Former Essendon great Simon Madden told this masthead on Wednesday that the death of the bounce would favour taller ruckmen and make the contest “more of a basketball tip-off”.

Madden suggested the AFL reduce the size of the centre circle and allowed rucks to cross the centre line.

Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country. Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter.