St Kilda coach Brett Ratten has expressed his frustration at a lack of holding-the-ball free kicks, cheekily suggesting the Saints might as well give up on tackling.
The Saints earned just three free kicks for laying 86 tackles in their 21-point defeat against Geelong on Friday night.
Players from both teams were not penalised for throws and incorrect disposal during the Round 9 clash at Marvel Stadium.
Just two examples were Geelong captain Joel Selwood and teammate Tom Atkins dishing out blatant two-handed throws and play-on was called.
The usually reserved Ratten was left confused by the interpretation.
(Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
“To think you have (86) tackles – I thought we out-tackled them – and you get three free kicks,” Ratten said.
“Don’t know if it’s worth tackling, just set up behind the ball and flood back.
“I don’t think we got our reward for our effort in the tackling component of the game.
“That was slightly disappointing but the players’ effort in what they did was very good.
“I feel for the players, to have (86) and get three holding-the-ball, it would be interesting to see how some of those balls got distributed as well.”
Pressed further if he was upset by Geelong players seeming to drop or throw the ball at times, Ratten replied: “You said it, I didn’t.”
Frustration among coaches about the ruling is not new, with Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson hitting out after the Hawks’ win against North Melbourne last June.
“What’s happened to our game? You can’t have that many tackles and not one of them be incorrect disposal,” Clarkson said.
The four-time premiership coach’s comments brought about an immediate change, with a stricter interpretation enforced by the AFL for the rest of the 2020 season.
Kevo
Roar Rookie
Yeah there's probably method in that madness.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
I notice Dusty got best on field again last night going at 46%. 3 Joe the goose goals and a toe poke on the line. Different standards impress in different states.
Tassie.
Roar Rookie
Mitcher, you keyboard warrior, had a few beers cobber? :stoked:
Mitcher
Guest
What do m0rons like you sctysl lay mean when you wheel out this refrain. How are they not accountable. Sound like the general m0aning of a never did anything dropkick.
Johnno
Roar Rookie
Nah.....the 8nterpretations get more focus by the AFL nufffies than anything. They change the game more through interptretations than rule changes. Rule changes are a diversion from the real changes.
FabPhil
Roar Rookie
Yep, JB. Buddha was a gun player, is a gun bloke and still has the footy smarts. I'm as baffled as the rest.
pablocruz
Roar Rookie
Was going to say St Kilda were their own worst enemy with poor kicking for goal but in reality they were only their second (worst enemy). The umpires absolutely crucified them from go to whoa.
JB
Guest
Really liked watching Gary. Apparently he's a ripper bloke. A few of my Pies supporting mates don't understand why they moved him on
pablocruz
Roar Rookie
Steven Hocking is the greatest blight on football that we have ever seen.
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
My favourite was when Ryder got tackled around the ankles league style and got pinged for holding the ball! And these blokes are meant to be the best umpires we have...
Kevo
Roar Rookie
The rule changes have been significant and there's been effort and energy invested in implementing them. The interpretations have been left wide open, which compounds the issues.
Maxy
Roar Rookie
Will give you a like on this one Don,Fyfe is still an Average kick but is an Elite handballer
Tassie.
Roar Rookie
Thanks for that!
FabPhil
Roar Rookie
And he ain't even the best Hocking in the family.
dab
Roar Rookie
Ratten confused by AFL umpiring He is not confused, he (and many many others) are annoyed.
Cat
Roar Guru
Of course. The results are obvious.
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
They just have to start paying incorrect disposal, it's getting absolutely ridiculous
Tassie.
Roar Rookie
Cat, he definitely has focused on goal kicking. The media is focused on the other point.
Cat
Roar Guru
We all know umpires are human and get it wrong. What Ratten should focus on is what he can actually change. That’s teaching basic goal kicking skills.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
That’s right Johno, we all have been following AFL for eons & we still scratch our head on interpretations throughout a match! It’s a simple game but the nerds that run the game are constantly over complicated matters for the ‘betterment of the game’!