Byron Schammer of Fremantle is bumped from the ball by Mark Lecras of West Coast during the AFL Round 18 match between the West Coast Eagles and Fremantle Dockers at the Subiaco Oval. Slattery Images
Those in positions of power at AFL House are criticised heavily when they do something wrong, so it is only fair we acknowledge them when they do something right. Finally, the league is going to come down on a group of players no one likes – the stagers.
This season will see players fined for faking, or accentuating, contact.
A first offence will draw a reprimand, while a second offence will see the player fined $1600. A third offence will attract a fine of $2400.
While many, including myself, may like to see a one-match ban for a third offence, this move is a step forward and the league deserves a tick.
Australian Rules Football was never going to be like soccer – a sport where players, it appears, stage for fun.
We didn’t want that.
But it was important to knock the issue on the head before it got out of control. Players are often looked upon as role models for the younger generation of budding AFL stars.
We don’t want staging filtering down to junior levels and even local suburban competitions.
There will be players who will continue to try and bend the rules – even at AFL level – but the message has been set and the standards have been spelt out: play for a free kick and expect a penalty.
There are not many things that make the ardent fan in the outer more frustrated than a free-kick to an opposition player who has, obviously, staged.
AFL players, in the past, have admitted they do it. Some may still get away with it, but Big Brother is watching.
This new rule will help the umpires, because players, more than likely, will attack contests without the thought of accentuating contact in the hope of gaining a free possession.
The game is very difficult to umpire today, due to the varied rules. Umpires, I believe, will breathe a sigh of relief that players will, finally, be answerable for their actions regarding staging.
But the umpires need to also be aware of what is and isn’t classified as staging.
Past players and commentators should be happy with the move, as well as the fans. It should be a win-win for all.
In the past, supporters have encouraged the AFL to let the game be and to leave the rules as they are.
But when it is in the best interests of the league, and the game as a whole, we should support such changes.
This change is necessary and a big tick goes to the AFL for applying common-sense.
Nick
Guest
Soccer is the only sport you 'play' FOR the whistle, growing up playing Aussie Rules, League and Union you play untill the whistle. I think its fair for the media to point at Soccer, diving is a massive problem, its a culture thing. AFL, NRL and ARU do not have that culture these codes players after getting drilled would prefer to stand up to prove it didnt hurt, soccer would prefer to roll on the ground to prove how much it hurt. Back to the topic Its great the AFL is stepping in to prevent this culture creeping into the game Kudos
Zac Zavos
Editor
Is this still an issue Tifosi? Thanks Zac The Roar
Matthew Stephen
Guest
For a player to be fined does it have to called a dive on the field by the umpire or not. For instance can a player lets say Matthew Llyod be given a freekick for a push and it later to be found to be a dive can he still be fined or warned?
Michael C
Roar Guru
It's only cheating when the laws are being broken on the 'sly', before then, it's not within the 'spirit' of the game, but, we know all games have law related 'grey areas', and loopholes - it's NOT cheating to work in that environment, but, it MAY be poor sportsmanship. The AFL has now defined this activity as cheating becuase it's covered in the laws.
MV Dave
Guest
The fact is Sokkah was drawn into this debate by the wholier than thou AFL/AFL media...'we dont want to be seen as a game where cheating occurs such as in that soft game Sokkah'. Well guess what cheating is rife throughout AFL as players seek to gain advantage by diving (AFL speak says staging), deliberately putting the ball out etc. Why was Sokkah brought into this AFL issue? l for one certainly wouldn't be bothered replying to this AFL issue if it hadnt seen it necessary to denigrate Sokkah in the process.
Michael C
Guest
and how much of the action of the FFA and the Scots is based on 'local attitudes' to sporting conduct and relative 'toughness', I recall when Mr Trinidad took his dive that Ross Aloisi I think it was had a bake for him on SEN - but, the reality is that the background Trinidad came from - it was okay and just part of the game.
Michael C
Guest
in the past - 'known offenders' were via word of mouth and perhaps some public opinion - - now, 'known offenders' will be 'officially' recognised!!!
Michael C
Guest
Boomer got over it - after a game vs the Doggies a couple of years ago, worst presently is Brad Johnson,......(Mister Football??), and anyone from Collingwood (esp Didak and Medhurst).
Michael C
Guest
Lazza - greatest discipline and mental strength?!?!?!? in AFL, you may only make a half a mistake and you may concede a goal - - - in soccer, you may make half a dozen mistakes and have nothing to worry about because of the inherent protection of the combination of off-side, x-bars and goalies with hands!!!! what soccer has is it's own unique requirements of mental discipline and strength. but, 'greatest' - - - get over yourself.
"Mmmm….seems just a few others have a different view.." Good for them, they can enjoy their Big Macs and Nike runners. "..and imposing a socialist system ibn football means scrapping the unrivalled drama and virtual ‘life and death’ of promotion/ relegation….( remember Leeds and Newcastle United ?? )" What drama...? You mean the drama of guessing which of the Big Four will win the league (year in year out)?? Or perhaps the drama of seeing the mediocre bottom sides fighting for... a chance to be at the bottom next year!
Moonface
Roar Guru
Exactly Lazza - happens in all sports, even AFL where there are always plenty of different ways to con the umpires - just ask the opposing team's fans.
Moonface
Roar Guru
If the AFL players didn't cheat, then why are they bringing in the new rules and fines - so they can qualify for a FIFA Fair Play award? Its up to the umpires to make the calls, which is what they do now so nothing will cange and like the three strikes drug policy, no one will get caught or publically get named and shamed.
B.C.
Guest
Why is it that only Soccer supporters refer to their game as "Sokkah" and often demand that others refer to their game as "football"? I'm confused.
keeper11
Guest
Now that is a silly bore” "I’d prefer a socialist league over a socialist game structure" Mmmm....seems just a few others have a different view.. the relative status of the EPL is reflected in the fact that just one of its high profile 'big 4' Liverpool have an estimated 50million supporters just in in asia... ..contrast...i may have spotted some backpackers with Bombers singlet in Bali.. thats about it.. ..and imposing a socialist system ibn football means scrapping the unrivalled drama and virtual 'life and death' of promotion/ relegation....( remember Leeds and Newcastle United ?? ) a concept unique to football and adds to its global success... else...what do you have instead in your socialist code?.. oh ..the 'wooden spoon'. How....quaint. ..and utterly meaningless.
bever fever
Guest
" That would never happen but it occurs in Soccer all the time", Lazza, if upsets occur all the time then why are they called upsets. You really have been shown up time and time again for not thinking about what you say or reading what others write.
bever fever
Guest
There is a reason why people use the phrase "namby pamby half forward flanker" it rhymes with w a n k e r. Milne, Didak et all must be named and shamed, personally i think the staging is a by-product of soccer in this country. On the flip side you do see some good goals scored soccer style during the year.
Additionally, by your own logic I can argue that poor quality teams are rewarded in soccer, because as you so freely admit the disparity between good and bad teams are often not translated into the final result. The low scoring system ensures that even bad teams, who put on a "uninspiring" performance, are a chance of knocking off the superior team. Sounds a lot like failure is being rewarded here...
You are deluded into thinking the only good players come from the Top 10 draft picks. Once again, success isn't handed out you have to play well in order to succeed. Don't know how many times it needs to be said, but it will be repeated until you comprehend it. You have to win as a team and you have to develop your gun players. But being a fan of a sport where champion players are typically bought and assembled by playboy billionaires, I can see how this went over your head. If your arguement made any sense, Richmond & Melbourne would be dominant powerhouses. They're not. Heck even Collingwood has had some troubled years, even a wooden spoon and yet still no premiership forthcoming. In short, your argument that the system is not competitive has been smashed. The salary cap discourages rich teams from purchasing their premiership (i.e. "success is handed to you" as you said) with their chequebook. This system encourages the development of sports science and other aspects that will give your team a comparative advantage, as you simply cannot rely on buying your way to victory. Funny thing about tanking is, these past few years 3-4, teams get labeled as tanking and then of course they breach the max wins and everyone shuts up. Invariably when multiple teams are consistently accused each year, one will eventually fail to post the wins as predicted. So far zero evidence presented of teams deliberately conspiring to lose a match, so put up or shut up. Losing on purpose does not create a winning culture, Melbourne is all too familiar with this.
Lazza
Guest
No, you just have to tank your way to the best draft picks while the top teams are denied the best talent. If you're incredibly bad then you'll get priority picks as well. Failure is rewarded like any good socialist system and success is handed to you. With all those incentives to cheat then it's no surprise that tanking is rife in the game even if the AFL doesn't want to admit it.
MV Dave
Guest
” The AFL takes a hard line to prove its not soft like Soccer” is a headline out of The Age this morning from one of the AFL media dinosaurs. Wonder how many pro games of Sokkah he or any of the other AFL media dim wits have played so they can actually make a judgement. The point has been made above but the AFL media/organisation (plenty of players/officials have said ‘we dont want to be like Sokkah’) have got to joking trying to play down the cheating in their sport by comparing it to another sport. The cheating in AFL is there for all to see and they have now decided to act. End of story…nothing to do with Sokkah.