Smaller Ball Increases Game Pace, Says Daicos

The Sunday Age

Sunday April 6, 2008

Andrew Stafford

COLLINGWOOD goalkicking legend Peter Daicos is adamant the football is smaller now than it was when he played and manufacturer Sherrin says there is some truth in his assertion.

Daicos says the game is getting faster not just because of the increasing number of rotations and the greater athleticism of the players but also because of the ball.

"I will go up against anyone that wants to argue the point with me that the balls are definitely smaller," said Daicos, who kicked 549 goals for the Pies in 250 games between 1979 and 1993.

"You only have to see the way they bounce and have a look at them in the hands of the players," he said.

"Maybe not in length, but in circumference I've got no doubt that the balls are a hell of a lot smaller, and they're kicking a long way with a smaller object because there's less resistance once the thing gets into the air.

"So I'll argue against anyone, I don't care who it is, if someone wants to put up or shut up, let's sort it out one way or another, but it's definitely smaller."

Sherrin admits he has a point - not due to any change in specifications, but because in the past, the balls swelled due to moisture at the grounds.

"We only make the balls to the AFL's specifications," Sherrin spokesman Tom Hollis said. "A lot's got to do with playing conditions - the balls will expand in wet weather and muddy conditions."

Today, of course, official AFL venues are far better drained - and balls don't get time to expand naturally over the course of a game.

"These days, you can have as many as 18 balls getting rotated because you've got balls sitting behind the goals ready to be kicked back in straightaway after a behind," Hollis said.

"In older days, you'd generally have two for the game.

"And most likely you'd only probably just get one of those two used for the whole game. The other one was there just in case someone in the crowd ran away with it or a bladder burst during a game."

Sherrin has been making Australian footballs since 1880 to a length of between 720 and 730 millimetres and a width of 545 and 555 millimetres.

The weight of the ball can vary between 450 and 500 grams.

© 2008 The Sunday Age

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