I know I am not alone when I ask what is defined as holding the ball in the AFL these days. It is quite obvious that even the players in the AFL just aren’t quite sure.
As supporters of course we want to see free flowing and open football, but sometimes we want to see players putting their head over the footy to create a stoppage to help their team.
Quite clearly the AFL has instructed the umpires to try and get rid of players holding the ball in in tight situations.
Gone are the days when the rule was clear cut and players and supporters knew what was holding the ball and what was play on.
Now it seems as if there is a different interpretation of the rule, not just every week but in every game.
There is no wonder that players get frustrated in some situations, especially when an umpire’s explanation of holding the ball changes each time the players see them.
Even some of the legends of the game have come out and said that it is not that the rule needs to be changed but it just needs to be defined and enforced consistently.
For the sake of every footballer and every supporter’s sanity, something needs to be done.
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