From the Ballarat Courier
Reported by Melanie Whelan
Full article - Click here
NORTH Ballarat Roosters coach Gerard FitzGerald has called for a league review into stricter match-day schedules.
Both the Roosters and Werribee were delayed in taking to the field for final pre-match warm-ups for their Victorian Football League match after a prolonged curtain-raiser match for the Tigers’ development team.
VFL team managers from each club called on umpires to intervene and allow players more time to finish warming up before a short Anzac Day commemoration.
FitzGerald said it should not have got to that point – the league must reconsider tightening match-day timelines, especially when marking special occasions.
Rules on ground access and curtain-raiser timing are strict in the AFL, and the Roosters will be under such conditions in three weeks time for a clash with Northern Blues at Etihad Stadium. Ballarat Football League reserves matches play set 24-minute quarters that can be adjusted.
AFL Victoria development league matches play with time-on.
FitzGerald said there had been no clear outline on times when teams could use the playing arena to warm up.
