AFL TO REVIEW TACKLING RULES
The Herald Age
By Rocky IV
After a series of contentious decisions at the MCG in yesterdays clash between Essendon and Collingwood, the AFL and the umpiring department have announced this morning a review into the rules around holding the ball and illegal disposal.
The issue was bought to a head by a copy book perfect tackle by Essendons Devon Smith on Collingwood player Jack Crisp. Crisp has since stated he was inspired by World Cup menace Neymar in crying for a free kick and holding his head after the tackle made impact on his shoulder. “He kept getting free kicks over in Russia when nothing happened to him, so I figured I should try it and it really works”, Crisp said in an interview after the game.
Since the days when a young and upcoming Moses sauntered across halfback for the Jerusalem Jews and racked up possessions seemingly at will, the tackle from Smith is the way all players have been taught in order to receive a holding the ball decision in their favour. However given the clear instructions the umpires were given in yesterday game to favour Collingwood as much, and as blatantly, and as often, as possible, this mornings announcement comes as no surprise to Essendon fans.
“Look this announcement won’t come as a surprise to Essendon fans”, umpires boss Grant Williams said this morning. “We just need to clarify what will be paid and what wont be paid as a free kick in games where Essendon are involved”.
While stating that the other 17 teams in the competition would have been paid a free kick for the tackle laid by Smith, particularly West Coast at Optus Stadium, Williams said the new rules would be applied only Essendon games.
“Once the opposition player collects the ball, the onus is on the Essendon player to tackle fairly and legally. This will now involve a verbal request, or warning, by the Essendon player that they intend to tackle the player with the ball”, he continued.
“The tackle can then only proceed if the opposition player acknowledges said request and replies in the affirmative that they are happy to be tackled. If the opposition player says they would prefer not to be tackled, it is then on the Essendon player to allow free passage for the play to continue. If the oppositions player response is ignored by the Essendon player a free kick, a 50m penalty and an umpires report will be made. Minimum suspension will be four weeks depending on what we determine the severity of the tackle is. For example Smiths heinous assault on Crisp would result in a life ban from football and a possible prison sentence”
When asked what then constitutes a legal tackle should the opposition player state that they don’t mind being tackled, Williams scoffed at the suggestion and said “I don’t think we’ll have to cross that bridge”.
Essendon CEO Xavier Campbell welcomed the AFL’s new initiative and said the club was once again thrilled to be singled out and made an example of by the games governing body and hoped it would continue to happen in future.
“Look we’re thrilled to be singled out and made an example of by the games governing body”, Campbell stated, “We can only hope it continues to happen in the future”.
Essendon players this morning declined to comment, except Brendon Goddard who said roughly nine sentences, none of which we’re able to print, while pointing in seven different directions.