With regards to recent questions concerning rule changes, I would like to submit the following for your opinions.
1. Holding the ball/ improper disposal
This rule is totally dependent on the individual umpire and they all seem to have a different idea of what is correct. Yes, if a player pulls the ball in and makes no attempt to get rid of it, a penalty should be awarded. No, a player should not be penalized if he is caught and a pack fall on top, giving him no chance of disposal.
2. Play on rule.
This is a total farce. The player is supposedly allowed twenty seconds, unless he moves off his line, to have a disposal. We see umpires calling “play on” when the player has only had the ball a short time and not moved.
When a player is outside the boundary with the ball and the umpire calls “play on” this must be a throw in as it is automatically “Out of
bounds.”
Likewise, when the fullback is to kick out from the goal square and “play on” is called, he must be allowed to run out of the square as the rule regarding the kick out is negated by the play on rule.
3. High contact/unnecessary rough play
The “old days” of “taking an opponent out” are gone and that is good. No one wants to see players badly or permanently injured. However, Aussie Rules is not a game for wimps. here are very few wimps who make it through to the top grade in the AFL and those that do are quickly found out. So, ALL of the players in the AFL know what is required to win the ball.
However, players should NOT be penalized and/or reported because another player dived in and made contact or put themselves in the way of contact, illegal or otherwise.
A bit of common sense is required here.
If two players are contesting for the ball from opposite angles, then it is obvious that they will collide. But why should one be penalized because his opponent got lower to the ground?
Anyone who has been on the end of a “shirtfront” knows they are not pleasant but they are a legal part of the game that I would not like to see outlawed.
And lastly 4. Forcing the ball through opponents goal.
This rule is so ridiculous that no one knows what is correct. Last week in the Fremantle Vs Carlton game, we saw, on two occasions, the ball deliberately kicked through the opponents’ goal, yet no penalty incurred because “it was under pressure”.
Earlier in the year, I saw two instances of Essendon defenders who were under far more pressure than the players last week being penalized. This rule should be dumped.
If opposing teams wish to concede points, then they should be allowed to, the way it has been in the past.
Having said all this, I believe that the rules should be changed or more clearly defined and then left alone. The AFL ruling body seem to
think if they do not change the rules every year, then they are not doing their jobs.
I disagree.
What are your thoughts ?
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