07-19-2022, 11:30 AM
He raised his arm for no reason other than to force the tackler’s hand onto his shoulder. That’s the precise action that the AFL says should not draw a free kick. You say you’re allowed to shrug a tackle. That’s why the AFL says the call should be “play on”; note that it doesn’t say the player who does this should be penalised. So, you’re right: you’re allowed to do it but on the other hand you don’t get a free kick for doing this. But if the player who tries to milk a free kick decides to put Mayo on it by acting as though he’s been in a UFC fight, bad luck: that’s holding the ball. Either handball or give the ball to the opposition. Simples.