Ross Lyon is considered among football’s most respected minds and has shared his thoughts on the current state of the game.
 
In recent weeks, critics have argued that AFL is not as visually appealing for fans this year due to more apparent congestion and lower scoring.
 
It has prompted discussions about changing rules to allow for more free flowing contests.
 
Lyon told Channel 7’s Talking Footy that it was not a simple issue.
 
“There is no short or easy answer,” he said.
 
“Some games are high scoring and exciting, others are congested.”
 
Lyon said his main concern with footy at the moment was tactics around stoppages, particularly holding off the ball.
 
“Any severe holding around stoppages (should be prevented), impeding the ability of the ball to get out,” he said.
 
“At a lot of forward 50 stoppages, most defenders already have one arm draped around their opponent, if the opponent grabs the ball, they just clamp around them and tackle.
 
“Guarding of the mark…that is holding up the play a little bit as well.”
 
Lyon said coaches were put in a difficult position because sometimes congestion was a necessary tactic.
 
“We’d all like to see great game but sometimes as coach you’re under pressure,” he said.
 
“If you’re getting beat at stoppages, you roll numbers up to hang on and then try to open it up.”