"In the back"

[Lambretta]

No, not a reference to anything sexual, so if you're thinking of commenting, please don't. It's a bit too obvious.

I am referring of course to the AFL's directive of awarding a free kick if a breeze ruffles a players shirt anywhere behind the armpit area.

Over the past few years, any contact with the back of a player has resulted in a free kick being awarded - and it was getting to the point where AFL was fast becoming a non contact sport.

However, I was watching an NAB Cup game between the Bulldogs and Lions and there was alot of close contact, especially some quite solid contact in the back which went unpenalised (as it should). It looked like a game from the 90's (when AFL was at it's best)

I was watching in the gym, where its pictures only, so I couldnt hear what the commentators were saying (but they did show some replays of the contact going unpenalised)

Is this an experiment for the NAB Cup or was it down to the attrocious conditions (the pitch was waterlogged) and the refs were giving greater lattitude due to the slippery conditions. Or has the AFL changed the rules to allow close contact once again?

 

[Twizzle]

the rule is actually "hands in the back" so if there is other contact it should go unpunished

its basically to get players to play in front of their opponent and generally they get pushed out by the guys caught behind

I dont think it was a rule change as such, it was enforced better last year as too many players were getting away with it and as with all rules and umpires, they never get it right every time

 

[Lambretta]

Thanks Twizzle

The contact just seemed alot more physical than I had been used to seeing over recent years and the game looked all the better for it.

I hope the lattitude given to players coming from the side / behind in making contact continues as many of the free kicks given recently have been for "nothing" events.

This game had far fewer frees awarded and both sets of players looked to fight for the right of possession.

 

[Collingwood Storm]

'hands in the back' just applies for a marking contest so there is no grey area when it comes to deciding whether or not there was enough force to be a push. It's quite similar to the 'block in the back' rule in the nfl.