This is a nice set of gameplay changes, for sure. AFL 2's marking system could be applied here as a basis for a contested catching mechanic.
I'd like to add a few things:
Defense:
A jockey/strafe defending mechanic like Fifa or Madden
Hold L2. While engaged, the defender is less likely to be beaten by ball-carrier moves (the extent of which to be determined by the defenders stats vs ball-carrier stats) and has a higher tackle chance, but is slower and won't cause knock-ons.
A hit stick tackle
Flick the right stick at the right time for a bone-crunching tackle with a high chance of the ball-carrier losing the ball. The tackle radius for this should be the smallest, and mistiming should cause the defender to stumble.
Offense:
More evasive ball-carrier options.
A sprint and side-step doesn't quite cover how an athlete uses footwork to setup and evade a defender. Quick cuts, stop-starts, goose-steps, spins--all of these could be incorporated into the locomotion system to give the ball-carrier more tools.
More strength-based ball-carrier options.
I'd love to see a bump-off at speed a la Rene Ranger, the effectiveness depending on the ball-carrier's weight, current speed, strength stats, and skill stats versus the defender's weight, current speed, strength stats, and skill stats.
General:
Limit three players per side to a ruck, or allow the ball to get out faster because having 5 to 6 players bound to the ruck really kills your attack (not to mention you'll rarely ever see such a thing in real life.)
On-field player ambient noise. I hope the sound design is much improved from the last iteration in general, but as a nice immersive touch, it'd be cool to hear players shout out calls and directions during the match (Madden has a limited, but mixed variety of on-field voice lines that add a lot to the immersion factor.) Communication is a huge part of the game.
This is a nice set of gameplay changes, for sure. AFL 2's marking system could be applied here as a basis for a contested catching mechanic.
I'd like to add a few things:
Defense:
A jockey/strafe defending mechanic like Fifa or Madden
Hold L2. While engaged, the defender is less likely to be beaten by ball-carrier moves (the extent of which to be determined by the defenders stats vs ball-carrier stats) and has a higher tackle chance, but is slower and won't cause knock-ons.
A hit stick tackle
Flick the right stick at the right time for a bone-crunching tackle with a high chance of the ball-carrier losing the ball. The tackle radius for this should be the smallest, and mistiming should cause the defender to stumble.
Offense:
More evasive ball-carrier options.
A sprint and side-step doesn't quite cover how an athlete uses footwork to setup and evade a defender. Quick cuts, stop-starts, goose-steps, spins--all of these could be incorporated into the locomotion system to give the ball-carrier more tools.
More strength-based ball-carrier options.
I'd love to see a bump-off at speed a la Rene Ranger, the effectiveness depending on the ball-carrier's weight, current speed, strength stats, and skill stats versus the defender's weight, current speed, strength stats, and skill stats.
General:
Limit three players per side to a ruck, or allow the ball to get out faster because having 5 to 6 players bound to the ruck really kills your attack (not to mention you'll rarely ever see such a thing in real life.)
On-field player ambient noise. I hope the sound design is much improved from the last iteration in general, but as a nice immersive touch, it'd be cool to hear players shout out calls and directions during the match (Madden has a limited, but mixed variety of on-field voice lines that add a lot to the immersion factor.) Communication is a huge part of the game.