04-05-2023, 02:37 AM
The problem is under control at the moment as players realise they may give up 50s or frees. Most of them self-censor. But if the AFL follows its usual problem-solving strategy, umpires will be told not to penalise and it’ll be open season again.
That’s what happened with hands in the back. While most players adjusted, there was a number of players who whinged mightily about being free-kicked when they kept on putting their hands in the back. So out goes that black and white rule and players were told they couldn’t use their hands to push an opponent out of the contest. Now we have a grey area over what is a push and what is holding one’s position. That reached peak ridiculousness in the case of 2 players running towards the ball where it was argued that the player running second was entitled to push his opponent in the back to protect the ball drop or hold his position. Now, only a fool takes front position as you just get pushed out of the marking contest.
That’s what happened with hands in the back. While most players adjusted, there was a number of players who whinged mightily about being free-kicked when they kept on putting their hands in the back. So out goes that black and white rule and players were told they couldn’t use their hands to push an opponent out of the contest. Now we have a grey area over what is a push and what is holding one’s position. That reached peak ridiculousness in the case of 2 players running towards the ball where it was argued that the player running second was entitled to push his opponent in the back to protect the ball drop or hold his position. Now, only a fool takes front position as you just get pushed out of the marking contest.