The AFL is implementing a very uncommon in-season rule change, instructing umpires to lessen their interpretations of what constitutes “reasonable time” when retaining the ball.
A document containing the judgement was sent to all 18 clubs, and according to SEN, the modifications are intended to guarantee uniformity between the decisions made on the pitch and those made by the match review officer and tribunal.
“The aim of this communication is to convey to you the instruction that our referees were given today regarding the explanation of holding the ball and one facet of it, which is appropriate duration,” the AFL stated.
“Over the course of the season, it has become increasingly evident that tacklers are fulfilling their duty of care by either consciously choosing not to take tackled players to ground during the tackle or by doing so in a manner that is appropriate and does not involve employing undue force.
As a result, players are hanging onto the ball for a little bit longer, which calls into question what constitutes a suitable amount of time.
Umpire James Aish talks with them. (Image courtesy of Getty Images via Michael Willson/AFL Photos))
“We appreciate that the players have adapted to these rules and that the coaches have taught them to tackle in this way. It is crucial that we continue to safeguard the players’ health and safety.”
This season, a number of coaches and players have voiced their concerns with the regulation; Gold Coast’s coach Damien Hardwick has joined the chorus following their weekend loss to Carlton.
When Mac Andrew tackled Charlie Curnow early in the game without getting called for it, he described it as a “very, very dangerous situation” and bemoaned the long time it took to award holding-the-ball free kicks.
“I will state that there were four holding-the-balls on both sides today out of 131 effective tackles,” he stated.
The players undoubtedly owe one another a duty of care, but as umpires, we have an obligation to act swiftly to resolve this.
“Because we don’t want players to get hurt, and the truth is that they’re putting them in a really precarious position.”
Tigers finally experience alleviation
Injury-prone With three players, including Jack Graham, a multiple premiership player, expected to return against Geelong, Richmond is beginning to feel a bit better.
The Tigers will play their first game in Geelong since 2017 on Saturday night at GMHBA Stadium. Graham, Rhyan Mansell, and Jacob Bauer are all anticipated to be available.
Due to a concussion, forward Mansell was unable to play in Richmond’s Dreamtime loss against Essendon on Saturday night.
After sustaining a hamstring injury in the crushing defeat to the Western Bulldogs three weeks prior, Graham missed the remaining two games.
Graham’s comeback will be counterbalanced, though, by the absence of Shai Bolton, who is dangerous and suffered a concussion during the last quarter against the Bombers.
AFL
Due to a hamstring injury that is taking longer to recover than expected, Jacob Hopper, the unfortunate midfielder, may miss an additional four weeks of action.
Tim Taranto, Hopper’s former GWS colleague, is out for up to two weeks following a broken wrist sustained during training in April. Taranto is now the Tigers’ current best-and-fairest winner.
Star forward Tom Lynch is expected to return in two to three weeks after suffering a serious hamstring injury during Sydney’s upset in round three.
Jake to abandon Tassie’s return home
Outside of a contract As he is ready to sign a new contract to stay with the Cats, Geelong defender Jake Kolodjashnij finds it difficult to see himself playing for any other team.
If Kolodjashnij does not sign a new deal before the end of the season, he will become a free agent.
Even though his home state of Tasmania is getting ready to become the 19th team in the AFL in 2028, the premiership player is more than happy where he is right now.
“It would be difficult to uproot and move to Tasmania; I’m a native Geelongian who has lived here since I was a young child, gradually matured, and began a family,” Kolodjashnij remarked.
“Until Tasmania joins the AFL, which is a long way off, I don’t know how the body will be (in 2028).” I do, however, genuinely love my time in Geelong and don’t see myself going anyplace else.
Kolodjashnij said that it was difficult to resist getting sucked into the excitement surrounding the Devils’ AFL preparations, even if he had sworn allegiance to Geelong.Regarding the Tasmanian club, he remarked, “I haven’t looked too far ahead aside from barracking for what they’re doing.”
“It’s pretty exciting, the memberships they’re doing are pretty viral (the club sold over 150,000 memberships in March), people are jumping on board.”
Under coach Chris Scott, Geelong is trying to recover from their worst winless run in 14 seasons, which has seen them lose four straight games.
On Saturday night, the Cats take on struggling Richmond at GMHBA Stadium in an attempt to snap a two-game losing streak.
Kolodjashnij declared, “We’re going to really focus on the next two weeks, knuckle down at training, and turn around those areas we’ve been lacking.”
“The Cats need to fix up; it’s probably little bits and pieces all over the ground.”
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