07-30-2023, 03:16 PM
(07-30-2023, 06:25 AM)DJC link Wrote:The point is that there's no logic or consistency to the way ruck infringements are adjudicated. If the two frees against De Koning were correct, at least ten other similar frees should have been paid. I don't know if there's much communication between the AFL and clubs about what constitutes a ruck infringement, but there should be more. It would be interesting to hear what the AFL/umpires think De Koning should have done when the ball bounced towards his side of the circle :-\
A good starting point would be to stop the umpire who bounces the ball from awarding free kicks for ruck interference at centre bounces. That umpire is so focused on the bounce and backing away from the contest that he/she does not have a good perspective to make such decisions.