Richmond forward Jack Riewoldt has stated he wasn't overly satisfied with the introduction of the stand rule this season.
The AFL introduced four new rules for the 2021 campaign, with the stand rule implemented in hope of opening up the game and therefore gaining greater attraction from fans.
The league also reduced the total number of interchanges per game from 90 to 75, extended the man on the mark at kick-ins from 10 metres to 15 metres, and introduced the medical sub for every game.
The stand rule was seen as arguably the most revolutionary to how the game was played, with club's looking to adapt to the quicker speed and seeing the ball moving forward more often.
Despite the changes, the AFL still saw low score averages and kept fans questioning the latest alterations to the game.
Speaking onย SEN,ย Riewoldt was among those that believe the stand rule may not have been for the betterment of the AFL, suggesting clubs were able to adapt and subsequently had a greater focus on defence.
โI was a bit worried early on when this one was announced because I thought there would be 50m penalties left and right, but players adjusted to it fairly well.,โ the triple-premiership Tiger said.
"What it did create was this panic when the game was so free-flowing and I think that was quite evident to people watching the footy over the first four or five rounds.
โIt probably caught a lot of teams on the hop in terms of how to defend it and play the rule, but ultimately it did probably lead to a bit more flooding and sides maybe not pressing up as strong defensively and (they) were sitting back a bit more.
โI think it was a miss that one, Iโm not big on the standing the mark rule.โ
Despite the changes and the Tigers also facing a finish outside of the top eight, Riewoldt was able to amass his best goals tally since 2018, booting 51 goals from his 22 appearances in the yellow and black.
