Perhaps TV’s Logies awards need a new category – most blatant AFL staging for free kicks.
As the Logies nominations were made public on Monday, Carlton key position player Jarrad Waite and Hawthorn midfielder Jordan Lewis were wiping egg off their faces.
The match review panel reprimanded Waite for his performance last Thursday night, while Lewis admitted he did not enjoy watching the replay of his incident with Essendon’s Brendon Goddard.
Richmond small forward Jake King kicked out behind him and caught Waite in the chest.
But Waite’s hands theatrically went to his mouth in an attempt to milk a free kick.
Waite received a reprimand because it was his first staging offence, while King can accept a $900 fine for misconduct.
The following night, Lewis was standing the mark when Goddard pushed him in the chest.
Lewis, one of the game’s tougher and stronger players, dropped to the ground as if he had been shot.
Not only did Lewis fail to win a free kick, but Goddard immediately moved the ball forward.
“I do remember it and once I saw it I didn’t really like it, to be honest,” Lewis said of the incident.
“I suppose I probably hadn’t had a kick up until then, so I thought if I can try and suck him in in any way I might get my first kick for the game.
“But I don’t want to get a reputation for that.”
Cat
Roar Guru
Have you ever actually tried to slip out of a tackle? the best way to do so is to drop one shoulder so you can slip out, Selwood will continue to do so regardless of frees or not because he just doesn't give up and will do whatever it takes to keep going.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Funnily enough one of my all time favourite North players, Malcolm Blight, wasn't beyond staging for a kick. Stevie J is a shocker but not as bad as his ducking team mates of recent years.
checkside
Guest
Play on!
Cat
Roar Guru
He will flail about for treats ... guess thats the dog equivalent of frees lol
checkside
Guest
Your dog flailing about for frees?
Cat
Roar Guru
Same boat here Lewis, love Stevie J (wife even named our dog stevie J) but he s**ts me to tears with the flailing about for frees.
Floreat Pica
Guest
I think you are correct, that it is rare enough (and thus public enough) that a reprimand for staging should be enough on the first occasion, but should a second offence occur a sever penalty should be handed out. Not just fines but suspension.
Lewis Stewart
Roar Rookie
Yep, exactly. I'm a Cats supporter and it really sh#ts me that a player as good as Stevie J has to throw his arms up at any chance he can get. It makes him look like a cry baby, and that sucks because he's my favorite player. Maybe the powers that be could give an award out on Brownlow night for the biggest stager and whinger. I reckon that would pull a few of them into line. It's not an award you would really want.
AR
Guest
Lewis milked it - which isn't great - but it was in no way the same sort of thing that Waite did. Waite actually pretended to cop a whack in the mouth when he didn't. I think both have been treated fairly well. I doubt you'll see these players do that again.
Cat
Roar Guru
I hate it too, I also think the throwing of the arms out and looking for a free is a blight on the game too
Cat
Roar Guru
I hate it too, I also think the throwing of the arms out and looking for a free is a blight on the game too
micka
Guest
My estimation of Waite just dropped a bit. I can't stand this kind of c*@p.
andyincanberra
Guest
Waite has been named and shamed. Whilst Lewis wasn't officially reprimanded, the light has been shone on how he overaplayed the contact, like Waite he has been humbled. I don't think that we'll see either player stage again.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
as if we needed more proof Lewis is a goose
joe
Guest
Lewis should have been reprimanded too.pathetic
Cat
Roar Guru
Glad to see the MRP do something right for a change and cite Waite. Lewis really should have been also but at least there was some contact, even if Lewis massively overplayed it.