Wanted to also post this here, as having watched a lot of local footy, this rule is policed very badly at the local level. Happy to hear others opinion on this as well. Saw this posted on the fox footy site.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl...ssue-facing-umps/story-e6frf3e3-1227324540885
This quote explains exactly how it should be umpired !!
- “If you drive your head into a player there’s a rule that says that’s your prior opportunity so you must kick or handball, otherwise holding the ball."
Also, “If he has his head over the ball and he comes up and he ducks back down and the tackle is reasonable, therefore the force is not unreasonable let’s say, the umpires are instructed to call play on."
With a lot of players in local leagues having probably grown up with rugby league, plenty of players seem willing to do this to draw cheap, soft high contact free kicks. I hope AFLQ re-inforce this rule at this level.