The AFL announced on Thursday nine new rule changes that will take effect next season.

Carlton’s Matt Kennedy, Port Adelaide’s Dougal Howard and Greater Western Sydney’s Harry Himmelberg all gave their views on the changes while back in Wagga for Friday’s George Maher and Hamish Howard Remembrance Golf Day at the Country Club.

Kennedy does not see any need to change the game and believes the new rules could only add more confusion.

“I didn’t really think the game needed to be changed but I suppose they think it’s for the best,” Kennedy said.

“Maybe it might be a bit more attacking with the goal square, I’m sure a few backs will be looking to get a few cheap kicks, that’s for sure.

“It’s hard to judge yet, maybe after a couple of games I might have a different opinion but at the minute I’m still a bit confused about it all, what they are and how it actually will effect the game.

“I didn’t think there needed to be a change but hopefully it works out alright and doesn’t stuff the game up too much.”

Howard, like Kennedy, did not see the need for change.

“I’m a bit the same as Bam, I didn’t think there needed to be too much change but it will be interesting to see how it all pans out in the JLT and no doubt we’ll be training it pretty hardly in the pre-season,” Howard said.

“It will be very interesting to see how it all goes. I think the kick out will change the game, open it up a fair bit more. For me personally, I’ll probably get stuck in the goal square at centre bounces a bit more often.

“It will be a very interesting transition throughout the JLT to see how it all goes, how harsh they are going to judge these new rules.”

Himmelberg, a key forward for the Giants, believes the changes could make the game more exciting.

“They kept it nice and basic, which is good. They’re not too drastic like the ones that were on the table,” Himmelberg said.

“They’re obviously all around trying to decongest the game, which I think’s good. Hopefully there is some big scores on the back of it.”

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