by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago
The new interpretation of hands-in-the-back rule needs to be scrapped according to some players, among them Bulldog Jason Akermanis, Carlton's Brendon Fevola, and Tiger Matthew Richardson. Richardson slammed the rule as "pathetic" after having a goal denied late in last week's game due to being penalized for putting his hands on the back of his opponent to stand his ground to catch the ball. Many players feel that while a deliberate push should still be penalized, the new stricter interpretation is no good. Akermanis, writing in his weekly newspaper column, pointed out that Collingwood's Nathan Buckley, who sat on the rules committee, urged the committee not to introduce the rule interpretation. Buckley later resigned his position on the committee after the rule was passed.
Akermanis suggested that the AFL review the interpretation during the midseason break, and scrap it for the second half of the season. Akermanis also pointed out further that the interpretation was never trialed in the preseason and further hinted that those responsible might be too stubborn to admit they made a mistake in introducing the interpretation.
The AFL has continued to defend the interpretation and praised umpire Brett Allen, who paid the free against Richardson, for being in perfect position to see Richardson place his hand on Mal Michael's back as he caught the ball. Nor does the league have any plans to review the rule interpretation at the end of the season.
Retired umpire John Russo also voiced his opinion, saying that inconsistency in paying free kicks against players who deliberately pushed opponents away from contesting the ball led to the AFL changing the interpretation. Russo, who officiated 222 games including the 1986 and 1991 Grand Finals, said he feared the rule would alter the game forever and that it was "a sad legacy" umpires have left for the game. He would like to see the AFL scrap the interpretation.
Source: Herald Sun
The new interpretation of hands-in-the-back rule needs to be scrapped according to some players, among them Bulldog Jason Akermanis, Carlton's Brendon Fevola, and Tiger Matthew Richardson. Richardson slammed the rule as "pathetic" after having a goal denied late in last week's game due to being penalized for putting his hands on the back of his opponent to stand his ground to catch the ball. Many players feel that while a deliberate push should still be penalized, the new stricter interpretation is no good. Akermanis, writing in his weekly newspaper column, pointed out that Collingwood's Nathan Buckley, who sat on the rules committee, urged the committee not to introduce the rule interpretation. Buckley later resigned his position on the committee after the rule was passed.
Akermanis suggested that the AFL review the interpretation during the midseason break, and scrap it for the second half of the season. Akermanis also pointed out further that the interpretation was never trialed in the preseason and further hinted that those responsible might be too stubborn to admit they made a mistake in introducing the interpretation.
The AFL has continued to defend the interpretation and praised umpire Brett Allen, who paid the free against Richardson, for being in perfect position to see Richardson place his hand on Mal Michael's back as he caught the ball. Nor does the league have any plans to review the rule interpretation at the end of the season.
Retired umpire John Russo also voiced his opinion, saying that inconsistency in paying free kicks against players who deliberately pushed opponents away from contesting the ball led to the AFL changing the interpretation. Russo, who officiated 222 games including the 1986 and 1991 Grand Finals, said he feared the rule would alter the game forever and that it was "a sad legacy" umpires have left for the game. He would like to see the AFL scrap the interpretation.
Source: Herald Sun
Article last changed on Thursday, June 07, 2007 - 2:35 PM EDT
