AFL Commission elects to keep ‘the bounce’

The AFL has confirmed that the centre-square bounce will remain for the foreseeable future.

The bold move to stick with tradition came on the back of much debate in recent times regarding the physical and mental toll it took on umpires to execute the skill.

Football Operations Manager Steve Hocking and AFL Chairman Richard Goyer announced the decision to keep the bounce in a press conference this afternoon, with Goyer telling the media "the bounce is here to stay".

Goyder showed support for the tradition that is bouncing the ball in the middle of the ground, labelling it as "iconic" and "unique".

"It's great that the bounce will kick off AFL football games. There's nothing like the roar of the crowd and the expectation that the bounce will start our great game," Goyder said.

Hocking emphasised that the AFL will provide further support for umpires to ensure their performance is not impacted by the bounce of the ball and confirmed that umpires will continue to recall bad bounces if necessary.

"We will do absolutely everything we can to make sure there is further investment in umpiring," Hocking said.

"If people are wondering how important the umpires are from my point of view, their particular department is the 19th team of the competition."

"They need further support and on-going care and I'm absolutely committed, as is the organisation." 

AFL umpire Ray Chamberlain is firmly against the continuation of the bounce, revealing it causes anxiety in the umpiring community.

“I know it causes guys, not just myself, extraordinary levels of anxiety when really they should be focusing on the job at hand,” Chamberlain told Sportsday Radio.

“I’ve got no doubt it would be a really positive move for umpiring and the game in general."

“Where it causes the most grief is in your preparation before a game. You should be focusing on the things that matter."

“But I’ve known of guys taking medication to help with their anxiety in relation to it. That’s really unhealthy.”

The AFL Commission considered and then endorsed the commitment to the bounce earlier today.