The New no “Punching” Rule

[Burtman]

The umpiring distracts from the fact that we were the better team on the day. Clarko wasn't distracted, watch the presser, he keeps repeating that the dogs were better on the day.

The win didn't "come through poor unpiring". We won by 19 points. Reverse that 1 soft decision and we win by 13. Everything else was legit, caused by Hawks panicing in the final 10-12 minutes. Youre right though, we should have won by more and the young dogs will only improve at that

There was definitely more than one strange decision throughout the day. It was poor for a majority of the match with some real head scratchers. Dogs were the better team on the day, just annoying to be in a position to win the match and have a series of terrible decisions influence the game so badly, even without them you probably would of won, but I guess we’ll never know

 

[david addison]

The next rule change from Steve 'I don't really know why I'm here' Hocking, will be for players to hug their opponent and tell them that they love them.

Umpire to James: Tell him you love him James, or it's a free kick against.
James to umpire: Does that mean I'm gay?
Umpire to James: No it doesn't mean you're gay James, just say it, or it's a free kick against.
James to Josh: I love you Josh. You're a tremendous player and an even better person and I love you.
James to umpire: Are you sure this doesn't mean I'm gay?
Umpire: No.
James: Is Hocking gay?
Umpire: No.
James: Then what the ****'s going on? I hate this sport! 'I'm not gay!
Umpire: That's enough with the back chat James. Now you're going to have to blow him.
James: What?
Umpire: 'You heard me, get down on your knees.'
James: No, I won't do it.
Umpire: Free kick Josh Schache. (James gets dragged).
Alistair to James: Why didn't you blow him James?
James: I won't do it. The new rules are shit. Nowhere in my contract does it say I have to blow my opponent.
Alistair: Looks like you're not a team player James. At training next week, while the other boys are on the track, you'll be inside for a bukake session with the boys from Magic Men.

 

[DrEvil_]

They've been told not to do it.

Umpires should ignore rules you don't like?

On the contrary, they should apply the rule universally. There were plenty of jumper punches from both sides equally bad or even worst than those. Why were they not called?

 

[Mofra]

On the contrary, they should apply the rule universally. There were plenty of jumper punches from both sides equally bad or even worst than those. Why were they not called?

They seem to let anything go that isn't high, and pay anything with contact higher than the chest as a free no matter how soft (e.g. O'Meara's contact wasn't forceful but clearly got his throat).

 

[DrEvil_]

They seem to let anything go that isn't high, and pay anything with contact higher than the chest as a free no matter how soft (e.g. O'Meara's contact wasn't forceful but clearly got his throat).

I was at the game, there were literally hundreds of pushes like Sicily's through out. Sure, you have a new rule so apply it from first bounce, then maybe the players will get the idea and stop doing it. Plug one out when scores are level deep into the last quarter? Really?

 

[MC Extra Dollop]

On the surface I don't mind trying to stamp out the cheap sniping, you know, some pissant back pocket very bravely running in and bumping an opponent from behind after he's blown a regulation shot at goal. I applaud free kicks for crap like that.

The only problem is that this must be the toughest game in the world to catch everything. You assume that when it's a forward and defender exchanging pleasantries that it's the defender who's the instigator, but if it's understood that the umps are going to pay a free one way or the other and it's basically a coin toss, why wouldn't a forward initiate it? You have a 50% chance of getting a certain goal and if you give it away, they're only getting it deep in defence.

Given the size of the ground, the number of players spread right across that space, the continuous play and the lack of lengthy breaks to review footage for decisions, it feels like an exercise in futility. Stamp out the gutless and pointless sniping and leave it at that.

 

[Outback Footy]

There was definitely more than one strange decision throughout the day. It was poor for a majority of the match with some real head scratchers. Dogs were the better team on the day, just annoying to be in a position to win the match and have a series of terrible decisions influence the game so badly, even without them you probably would of won, but I guess we’ll never know

What "series of terrible decisions"? Ump starts to bounce the ball and a dumb hawk runs thru the circle, cant do that. Never could do that. Free kick every day. Sicily pushing shoving was soft, I agree. Sicily grabbing Gowers (? was it?) as he went for a mark, wrapped his arms around him, front on, free kick every day. James lost his shit and swore at an umpire, 50m every day.

One soft decision during our 49 point 15 minute rampage. Hawks stopped. Cant blame 1 soft decision for a loss of 19 points. Especially when you were 30 up w 15 to go.

 

[Mofra]

I was at the game, there were literally hundreds of pushes like Sicily's through out. Sure, you have a new rule so apply it from first bounce, then maybe the players will get the idea and stop doing it. Plug one out when scores are level deep into the last quarter? Really?

It was right in front of the umpire and anything high gets penalised, this isn't unique just to today's game.

Soft? Absolutely. Does it get punished last year? Who knows. Is it the way football is being umpired this year? Based on the first two rounds, yes. The way the bulldogs ruffled Sicily's hair after it suggests to me there were Bulldogs players goading him into it.

 

[Outback Footy]

I was at the game, there were literally hundreds of pushes like Sicily's through out. Sure, you have a new rule so apply it from first bounce, then maybe the players will get the idea and stop doing it. Plug one out when scores are level deep into the last quarter? Really?

Agreed. Shit timing. Soft call. On its own didn't turn the game around though.

 

[Aramis]

It's going to be shiter.

At Collingwood we deal in 4peats, not hat tricks.

That strike rate though.

 

[Mofra]

One soft decision during our 49 point 15 minute rampage. Hawks stopped. Cant blame 1 soft decision for a loss of 19 points. Especially when you were 30 up w 15 to go.

Losing Burgoyne was the biggest factor I thought, we let them off when we took little advantage in the second for all of our hard work.

Burgoyne has routinely cut us up over the years, it's a painfully beautiful thing to watch. He is pure silk.

 

[Wesley2]

The umpiring distracts from the fact that we were the better team on the day. Clarko wasn't distracted, watch the presser, he keeps repeating that the dogs were better on the day.

The win didn't "come through poor unpiring". We won by 19 points. Reverse that 1 soft decision and we win by 13. Everything else was legit, caused by Hawks panicing in the final 10-12 minutes. Youre right though, we should have won by more and the young dogs will only improve at that

Reverse that 1 soft decision and there's an entirely new end to the game. Maybe dogs win, maybe hawks hold on, we'll never ever know.

 

[Outback Footy]

Reverse that 1 soft decision and there's an entirely new end to the game. Maybe dogs win, maybe hawks hold on, we'll never ever know.

Clarko seemed pretty sure

 

[Wesley2]

Clarko seemed pretty sure

That doesn't change what I said.

 

[gangsta deluxe]

It’s s great rule and it was conscientiously applied today.

Any complaints are simply the spurious conspiracy theorist ravings of very sore losers! Here hasn’t been a real umpire conspiracy since 2013-2015

 

[ashep]

Couldn't give a shit. Quite happy to get rid off this soft off the ball crap.

 

[gavaniacono]

Now that that ump has set the standard, apply it the same every other time, and commentatoes also need to support the interpretation rather that being apologists.

 

[Xtreme]

The game has gone soft, at the very least you should be allowed to nipple cripple your opponent to put them off their game

 

[Burtman]

What "series of terrible decisions"? Ump starts to bounce the ball and a dumb hawk runs thru the circle, cant do that. Never could do that. Free kick every day. Sicily pushing shoving was soft, I agree. Sicily grabbing Gowers (? was it?) as he went for a mark, wrapped his arms around him, front on, free kick every day. James lost his shit and swore at an umpire, 50m every day.

One soft decision during our 49 point 15 minute rampage. Hawks stopped. Cant blame 1 soft decision for a loss of 19 points. Especially when you were 30 up w 15 to go.

The worpel push in the center, the O’Meara reversal there was numerous chopping the arms one way but not the other about a minute later. Somehow Caleb Daniel spoils ceglars mark, must have a vertical leap that is bigger than natanui to get that high and not infringe . Was amazing to see doggies players all day do the exact same thing that Sicily, O’Meara, worpel etc got pinged for. If someone had the time to go through this game with a fine tooth comb they could make a mockery of these umpires and the new pushing rule. which it seems only hawthorn players were getting pinged for.

 

[Substance]

Losing Burgoyne was the biggest factor I thought, we let them off when we took little advantage in the second for all of our hard work.

Burgoyne has routinely cut us up over the years, it's a painfully beautiful thing to watch. He is pure silk.

They will never replace burgoyne. He'll be a huge loss to the Hawks.

 

[bluespooner]

It was right in front of the umpire and anything high gets penalised, this isn't unique just to today's game.

Soft? Absolutely. Does it get punished last year? Who knows. Is it the way football is being umpired this year? Based on the first two rounds, yes. The way the bulldogs ruffled Sicily's hair after it suggests to me there were Bulldogs players goading him into it.

Ruffling a player's hair is head high contact.

 

[flamethrower]

Cam Rayner was penalised in the Lions v North game for a very similar incident to the Sicily - Schache incident. Cost the Lions a goal at a vital time. Only difference is Rayner didn't lose the plot like Sicily and the Lions rallied to win the game.

Umpiring department communicated to all clubs before the season that off the ball punches (as opposed to open handed pushes) to the body would result in free kicks, fines or suspensions. Players only have themselves to blame - they are supposed to be professional and be au fait with the rules.

 

[tropicaltiger]

It's a good rule and only the dumb footballers will continue to get penalised for it.

exactly, the afl dont care what mug punters think...they care about the image, protection and future of the game, you dont want to see that crap in under 8's. or the school yards... so they are stamping it out now. soft as butter, but so what, who wants to see these B, C and D grader idiots scragging and shoving. Even if the umps screw it up half the time... the fines wern't working and suspension is too harsh. a free kick and will throw in a 50 as well for backchat abuse too.

 

[juss]

Terrible decisions. The game is doing itself no favors. Time for some change at the top.

 

[vanders]

The AFL HQ have ruined the game with all these rule changes. You can't have umpires influencing games like they did today and it won't be the last time it happens either.

It has gradually gotten worse over the last decade but this new nonsense rule might just be the worst one yet.