03-04-2017, 03:57 AM
(03-04-2017, 03:09 AM)DJC link Wrote:The ball wasn't thrown directly to our player, it simply cleared the two nominated rucks. We got a free kick shortly after when the ball cleared the rucks and landed on a Bulldog's chest. The umpires were consistent :
Nathan Burke's comment about allowing the ball to bounce before trying to take possession being contrary to the way the game has always been played summed it up for me.
The ball was thrown out of reach of the ruckmen. Our player was there. Thus it was thrown directly to our player. It was not a case of our player going to the contest and interfering with the contest.
Yes, it was evened up later in a similar situation.
Two wrongs don't make a right though.
As you mentioned, Burke and Hickey highlighted that the only alternative is for the players to run away from the ball as it is coming towards them. Clearly that is farcical, which highlights that the umpires interpretation of the rule was indeed incorrect as i stated earlier.