The AFL season hasn’t even started yet and there is already major controversy over one of the new rules for 2021.
The new law preventing the man on the mark from so much as moving a muscle has caused consternation throughout the pre-season, with this particularly harsh incident involving Fremantle’s Brennan Cox leading to widespread criticism.
Cox appeared to only be stretching his legs as West Coast’s Oscar Allen lined up for goal, but apparently, that was enough for the umpire to award a 50-metre penalty to gift the Eagles a goal.
If the season proper is going to be adjudicated as harshly as this, God help us all.
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
I can’t see any scenario where more 50m penalties are a good thing, they are a blight on the game and easily the worst thing about the sport. I’d just tell the ump, “I’m not standing the mark” and stand 3m behind it.
User
Roar Rookie
Nah it doesn't, I'm reserving judgement till I see it for first 10 rounds soa decent judgement can be made other than that I'm not over reacting
Scott
Guest
Yes it does. It’s the tip of the iceberg and we are on a slippery slope. They need to learn that it is not compulsory nor required to bring in a bunch of new rules every year. What 3-5 rules will they bring in next year. What 50 new rules will they bring in by 2030? There will be at least half a dozen or more far worse then this to come over the next few years. When will they stop!
Scott
Guest
BULLLLLLLSHHIIIIIIIIIII+ The game does not need to respond to every slight problem it sees. Remember when they wanted to speed the game up so they brought in 50 new rules, then remember when they brought in new rules to slow the game down cause there were too many injuries, and then remember when they brought in more rules to speed the game up again a, and then remember when they brought in ............ For crying out loud, they’ve brought 3 contradicting rules in this year alone. Capping interchange more to slow the game, then the new man on the mark rule and kick in rule in the hope of speeding the game up. Remember when they realised they made a mistake and withdrew a rule???????? Probably not cause they’ve only done it about twice. This is absolutely disgusting and pathetic. Goals from50 metre penalties are not exciting. Officials should not have an effect on the outcome of any sport. I want to see my football team win by playing football not obeying rules. I could watch a military parade for that
User
Roar Rookie
A sample size of 2 bad decisions out of how many scratch matches and intra club games hardly deserves the outrage.
Goalsonly
Roar Rookie
AFL without umpires would like dancing without set steps.
Lukey Miller
Guest
Give this rule a chance. I would be surprised if all players fully complied with this change in the pre-season. Hopefully all players will have adjusted by the main season and that penalties are rare. Get used to these changes as the game needs to respond to coaches exploiting laws to get a tactical advantage. It is a 360 football game without an off-side rule, so it will always be difficult to regulate.