The AFL has come under fire this morning over plans to shorten the league’s half time break from 20 minutes to 10 minutes.
According to Fox Sports, the plan to halve AFL halftime has widespread support from AFL clubs. They argue it could keep players warm, reduce fatigue and decrease the rate of soft tissue injuries.
However, fans are unimpressed. They believe the move would make it harder to go to the toilet and to get food in the break.
If you’re at a live AFL match with kids – it would be near impossible. We all know how slow they can be.
Seven News reporter Nick McCallum lashed out at the proposal on Twitter today, pointing out the change could also threaten kids’ AFL Auskick halftime games.
Shortening the half time break is ok if you are watching at home, but at the actual games, if you need want to go to the toilet and grab a coffee, it makes the turnaround very tight, especially with a big crowd. Just leave it alone.
— SimonC (@simonsbargains) November 27, 2019
While the AFL has not yet said what will happen to Auskick matches, social media reaction to the potential removal of kids’ half time games has been swift.
The @AFL is so out of touch with it’s fanbase it is a joke. Auskick t halftime was a childhood highlight. True fans have no issue with long games. Bunch of morons.
— HotBoyTupu (@BoyTupu) November 27, 2019
Does this mean half-time Auskick is over? One of the best experiences to have as a kid.
— Aidan Pauna (@aidanpauna) November 27, 2019
Seven News reporter Tom Browne suggested the AFL would keep Auskick, but potentially move the kids’ games to a different timeslot.
“There are plenty of opportunities. Pre-game. Postgame. I hardly think the kids are going to be disadvantaged if the play for example pre-game. Or do drills and goal kicking at quarter time,” Browne wrote on Twitter.
The comments have already been slammed as unworkable with one parent pointing out that it is “hard enough to wrangle 40 excited kids with ample time, under time pressure they would get no game time”.
Spoken like a true parent.
