But dropping the ball is holding the ball.
By rule, its holding the ball due to incorrect disposal. You said it yourself ball drop. Unless you dig deeper into the rules where it gets very grey.
I was having this discussion with my old man before the game (funny that). About how there is a general confusion around holding the ball with people getting the many variants of the rule confused. Regardless of if you had prior opportunity or not. You did not dispose of the ball correctly by dropping it, throwing it, falling out whatever.
But to that point, the rules have too many ways of when umpires shall allow play to continue regarding certain potential holding the ball calls. Its open to personal opinion of the rules too much.
Being at the ground, i can feel the frustration towards the officials. And i'll be honest i booed them off the ground, but then I left. I didn't stay for what happened afterwards because I had a plane to catch. But it seems a little blown out of proportion by the media as usual.
There was a lot of general anger. So much so that by god if it was the queen that made a speech after the game instead of the medal presentation we would of booed her probably. People needed to vent. They pay the money to attend the game, they should be allowed to do what they want, including boo providing it doesn't breach laws that we abide by in day to day life. (discrimination, violence etc).
This notion of people were booing pendles needs to stop, it was far from the case. Nothing more then a headline for the blood sucking media.
We vented, Collingwood still won, we all went home and will be back again next year to do it all over again, and hopefully have another classic.
I am happy we managed to be competitive on the day. I was worried before the game we wouldn't be and you would kill us. Boy was I more worried at QT.
Same time next year