Can somebody explain the push in the back rule?

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oh_my_hat

Club Legend
Jun 28, 2000
1,773
60
one-out in the goal squar
AFL Club
Richmond
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Dallas Cowboys, Tottenham
I'm now oficially conused with the push in the back rule. In the Ess v Haw match saturday night I saw Holland 'hip out' an opponent legally and take a mark and was penalised. Earlier Scott Lucas pushed a defender in the back / side with his hands and was allowed the mark. No wonder supporters get frustrated and I don't even follow either team. Is it just me or is this rule misunderstood by the umpiring fraternity?
 
To many cooks spoil the game. In effect one umpire has a different interpration to the one further up the field who has yet another take on the third one out there.

Also cant remember who said it but while the umpires are allowed to much personal interprations of the rules this will continue.

The rules committee should start and bring in some solid guidlines on what is and isnt a free.
 
Grendel, I agree that there are many grey areas in our game but surely using hands in the back and rewarding that whilst penalising perfect use of the body is mind boggling. This isn't a new phenomenon and will continue to happen. After all Warwick Capper was doing it 10 years ago and stretching it to new heights so if that was passable then what the players are doing now is tame I guess but still frustrates me.
 

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No I do understand where your coming from, its a blot on the game. A friend of mine often tells me that AFL will never take of overseas as the rules are to unclear for anyone who hasnt been brought up on the game to ever fully understand the way it is played (ie having 'interpratations') and not clear black and white rules like soccer,rugby and basketball all do.

In another thread Happy Hawker made the suggestion that the umps should make up teams of three and always work in that group. It makes sense, at least they could all get to know each others idea of what should be and what shouldnt be a free.

ps I just shook my head over the Holland one too. But I did marvel at Capper when he was hoisted up on Langers shoulders that final out at Waverly!
smile.gif
 
Is it true that you were a boundary umpire in the DV League oh_my_hat?

Please be less controversial next time!!
 

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Can somebody explain the push in the back rule?

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