In recent weeks we have been bemoaning the death of the tackle as we know it. The Trengove ban and now those given Mumford and Koschitzke have apparently changed the way the game is played forever.
The purpose of a tackle from the player’s point of view is to stop a disposal occurring. If the player is anywhere on their defensive side of the centre circle it is almost always to stop an inside-50 and therefore a scoring opportunity.
The dilemma facing all AFL players now is how to tackle to stop a disposal but not incidentally hurt the opposition player and get banned.
The push in the back rule is interpreted so that when you are tackling a player if you push them forward they will most likely receive a free kick.
Players are instructed to swing the player around and to the ground as the most effective way to tackle within the rules.
If the interpretation of the rules could be changed to allow the tackling player to ‘fold’ the player with the ball – that is, pushing them forwards – the tackle could remain and be safer for the player being tackled.
The upshot is that if the AFL still want the players to be able to tackle and the head be protected then you need to allow players a method of doing it that is safe and effective.
Changing the push in the back interpretation might be one way of doing that.
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