Matt Rowell and holding the ball

[GoEaglesGoSGIO]

Really does warrant its own discussion as it’s abundantly clear he seems to simply get away with it more then any other player I’ve ever seen

Rowell has a tactic whereby he will attempt a fend off BUT not to actually get free or clear, he attempts a fend off so he can put his body in a position to simply drop the ball in the direction he wants too or where more of his teammates are. He will regularly shrug a man, spin 180 degrees and flat out drop the ball in front of his feet, with the umpires calling play on since it looks like he is moving the ball on quickly and isn’t fully in the tackle

Now the question is, is this a smart tactic or should it be holding the ball and the umps simply don’t wanna call it? I think it’s gotta be holding the ball and prior really. Not completing the fend off is meant to be prior but for Rowell he has somewhat bent the rule by dropping the ball during the fend off

It’s time for the umpires to be smarter and reward the tackler . If it continues on in 2 pre seasons time we are just going to have a dropathon going on

 

[matthew_s]

The umps don’t pay holding the ball / incorrect disposal anywhere near enough full stop.

 

[Lavender Bushranger]

Strong inside mids are all thriving with the current interpretation.

Cripps is another who is loving it. The man is such a monster, he will eventually break free. And because umpires now given guys an eternity - he does. Sometimes it seems like he's been tackled for about 3 minutes and there's still no whistle.

 

[BF Tiger]

I'm not aware of it but it sounds like the new Selwood shrug. If umps are gonna let it go then good on him, as infuriating as it may be.

 

[flyinghi64]

He and Bont seem to have their own rule when it comes to that. Seems they are allowed to be taken 360 degrees while being tackled 2-3 times by various players while sipping a cup of tea and sending a text all while the ump throws his arms in the air yelling "PLAY ON....PLAY ON" Until either the ball is flung/thrown/knocked free or held in for a ball up.

Looks like we may have a player who will probably fall under that rule as well soon, if he already hasn't.

 

[TRP1996]

Star players get away with more before getting pinged.

News at 11.

 

[Senor Ed]

He and Bont seem to have their own rule when it comes to that. Seems they are allowed to be taken 360 degrees while being tackled 2-3 times by various players while sipping a cup of tea and sending a text all while the ump throws his arms in the air yelling "PLAY ON....PLAY ON" Until either the ball is flung/thrown/knocked free or held in for a ball up.

Looks like we may have a player who will probably fall under that rule as well soon, if he already hasn't.

Please read the 'Laws of Australian Rules Football 2024 Section 18.6 regarding holding the ball. There is no mention of 360 degrees, 720 degrees or even 1080 degrees. Hell, if you want to do a full double somersault whilst being tackled and still handball it, then its legal. You'd find that the Bont legitimately disposes of the football a vast majority of the time. And when he doesn't he usually gets pinged for holding the ball.

 

[HairyO]

Really does warrant its own discussion as it’s abundantly clear he seems to simply get away with it more then any other player I’ve ever seen

Rowell has a tactic whereby he will attempt a fend off BUT not to actually get free or clear, he attempts a fend off so he can put his body in a position to simply drop the ball in the direction he wants too or where more of his teammates are. He will regularly shrug a man, spin 180 degrees and flat out drop the ball in front of his feet, with the umpires calling play on since it looks like he is moving the ball on quickly and isn’t fully in the tackle

Now the question is, is this a smart tactic or should it be holding the ball and the umps simply don’t wanna call it? I think it’s gotta be holding the ball and prior really. Not completing the fend off is meant to be prior but for Rowell he has somewhat bent the rule by dropping the ball during the fend off

It’s time for the umpires to be smarter and reward the tackler . If it continues on in 2 pre seasons time we are just going to have a dropathon going on

So he grew up a Dogs supporter?

Also, umpires are told to let the ball keep moving as much as possible and to ignore a lot. They seem to have teams where they do this more, and teams where they do this less.

 

[Billy ray]

Exciting (for a SUNS player) to be part of a discussion.

But in short. Different rules for different players always been the way of life. For first time in 13 years we are on the other side with something

 

[hawkman]

He and Bont seem to have their own rule when it comes to that. Seems they are allowed to be taken 360 degrees while being tackled 2-3 times by various players while sipping a cup of tea and sending a text all while the ump throws his arms in the air yelling "PLAY ON....PLAY ON" Until either the ball is flung/thrown/knocked free or held in for a ball up.

Looks like we may have a player who will probably fall under that rule as well soon, if he already hasn't.

Add Cripps to that list as well

 

[Sttew]

Really does warrant its own discussion as it’s abundantly clear he seems to simply get away with it more then any other player I’ve ever seen

Rowell has a tactic whereby he will attempt a fend off BUT not to actually get free or clear, he attempts a fend off so he can put his body in a position to simply drop the ball in the direction he wants too or where more of his teammates are. He will regularly shrug a man, spin 180 degrees and flat out drop the ball in front of his feet, with the umpires calling play on since it looks like he is moving the ball on quickly and isn’t fully in the tackle

Now the question is, is this a smart tactic or should it be holding the ball and the umps simply don’t wanna call it? I think it’s gotta be holding the ball and prior really. Not completing the fend off is meant to be prior but for Rowell he has somewhat bent the rule by dropping the ball during the fend off

It’s time for the umpires to be smarter and reward the tackler . If it continues on in 2 pre seasons time we are just going to have a dropathon going on

It was bloody obvious and infuriating last night, but had no impact on the outcome

 

[kreglze]

People complaining about rule interpretations concerning our players. We have arrived.

 

[Sttew]

People complaining about rule interpretations concerning our players. We have arrived.

You have arrived... in Darwin (although seemed like there were more Cats supporters last might)

 

[Taylor]

Really does warrant its own discussion as it’s abundantly clear he seems to simply get away with it more then any other player I’ve ever seen

Rowell has a tactic whereby he will attempt a fend off BUT not to actually get free or clear, he attempts a fend off so he can put his body in a position to simply drop the ball in the direction he wants too or where more of his teammates are. He will regularly shrug a man, spin 180 degrees and flat out drop the ball in front of his feet, with the umpires calling play on since it looks like he is moving the ball on quickly and isn’t fully in the tackle

Now the question is, is this a smart tactic or should it be holding the ball and the umps simply don’t wanna call it? I think it’s gotta be holding the ball and prior really. Not completing the fend off is meant to be prior but for Rowell he has somewhat bent the rule by dropping the ball during the fend off

It’s time for the umpires to be smarter and reward the tackler . If it continues on in 2 pre seasons time we are just going to have a dropathon going on

The Dogs made a clearance game out of this tactic in 2016.

 

[DocSholl]

Touk is very good at the drop that looks like it was forced out in the tackle as well.