Australian Football League club chiefs "have floated the radical proposal of following the AFL Players Association and arguing for annual set percentage of revenue," according to Jon Pierik of THE AGE. In a bid to ensure greater clarity of where the AFL's funds are spent, particularly from the imminent new TV broadcast rights deal, "some club chiefs believe a set percentage is a model worth considering." This "is set to be a key talking point at a meeting of all club chiefs in Melbourne on Wednesday, where several issues, including an update on the review of the three-strikes drugs policy, equalisation, the new bidding system at the national draft and the trading of future draft picks, and the broadcast rights negotiations will be discussed." While a figure in overall percentage terms of league revenue has not been determined, "the plan would be for the funds within that percentage to be handed out on a sliding scale to the clubs most in need" (THE AGE, 8/4). In Melbourne, Jake Niall wrote the "look of the game" and the possibilities that might improve the spectacle of AFL football -- lately subject to much criticism for the congestion around the ball and high stoppage numbers -- are on the official agenda. AFL CEOs and the AFL "will discuss the interchange rules and the substitution rule -- considered likely to be removed for 2016 -- is slated for discussion, along with the umpiring interpretations and how umpiring can improve the continuous flow of the game." It is understood that while the radical "nuclear option" of what is called "starting points" -- rules that would confine certain numbers of players to be, say, inside forward 50 meters at stoppages -- could be talked about, these "zones" have already been ruled out for introduction in '16 (THE AGE, 8/4).
