The Shepherding Rule ?

[GhostofJimJess]

One thing that has bewildered me for a while now is the interpretation of the shepherding rule.

Why is it okay for a forward to shepherd an opposition defender to allow the ball to go through the goals, but a player is not allowed to shepherd an opponent to allow one of his own team-mates to take a mark.

Both involve preventing the defensive player from having a clear go at the ball, but only the latter is ever penalised.

 

[hotpie]

Its all about proximity to the ball. Generally in the goalsquare the shepherd isnt applied until the time the ball is within the legal distance of 5 metres.

Also its easier to disguise a shepherd in the goalsquare as both players are standing and wrestling rather than running. In general play when you are running, an illegal shepherd is more obvious.

 

[Bob_vic]

Easy answer.

In general play, the legal distance for a shepherd is 5 metres.

In a marking contest (and ruck contests for that matter), all shepherding is illegal.

Bob

 

[GhostofJimJess]

Originally posted by Bob_vic
Easy answer.

In general play, the legal distance for a shepherd is 5 metres.

In a marking contest (and ruck contests for that matter), all shepherding is illegal.

Bob

Fair enough, Bob and hotpie. But what about when the ball's going through the goals on the full.

You can picture, say, Lynchy shepherding it through in your head. Very rarely is it penalised, even though the full back is prevented from having a direct go at the floating ball.

I still don't see the distinction between this occurring and, say, Lynch shepherding in the goals square for Voss to mark on the goal-line.

NOTE : Not meant to be a shot at Lynch ... just happened to be an easy image to visualise.

 

[The Passenger]

making all shepherding illegal when in a marking contest then gives us more problems for the umps - how do they distinguish between legimtimate wrestling for position in the marking contest and shepherding to allow another teammates into the contest or the ball through the goal square. Both can be described as very similar.

 

[Port01]

Originally posted by Bob_vic
Easy answer.

In general play, the legal distance for a shepherd is 5 metres.

In a marking contest (and ruck contests for that matter), all shepherding is illegal.

Bob

But why is shepherding a falling ball on the goalline, not a marking contest? The defender could mark it if not shepherded out of the way.

I think that is the point. Shepherding a bouncing ball is one thing, but stopping a player from having a chance to mark is another.

Does the rulebook specify that it is only a marking contest if there is a third player taking the mark (besides the shepherder/shepherdee)?

 

[The Phat Side]

Originally posted by Port01
But why is shepherding a falling ball on the goalline, not a marking contest? The defender could mark it if not shepherded out of the way.

I think that is the point. Shepherding a bouncing ball is one thing, but stopping a player from having a chance to mark is another.

Does the rulebook specify that it is only a marking contest if there is a third player taking the mark (besides the shepherder/shepherdee)?

in a marking contest youre allowed to hold your ground.

 

[Port01]

Originally posted by The Phat Side
in a marking contest youre allowed to hold your ground.

But you are not allowed to stretch your arms wide and make no attempt at the ball.

 

[Bob_vic]

Originally posted by Port01
But why is shepherding a falling ball on the goalline, not a marking contest? The defender could mark it if not shepherded out of the way.

The defender would have to show that he is trying to take a mark. Most of the time, they make no attempt to mark, so it is not a marking contest.

Bob

 

[GhostofJimJess]

Originally posted by Port01
But why is shepherding a falling ball on the goalline, not a marking contest? The defender could mark it if not shepherded out of the way.

I think that is the point. Shepherding a bouncing ball is one thing, but stopping a player from having a chance to mark is another.

Does the rulebook specify that it is only a marking contest if there is a third player taking the mark (besides the shepherder/shepherdee)?

My point exactly, Porto.

Originally posted by Bob_vic
The defender would have to show that he is trying to take a mark. Most of the time, they make no attempt to mark, so it is not a marking contest.

So, is trying to punch or spoil the ball still considered contesting a mark? If so, then a forward shepherding a floating ball through the goals should also be penalised.

By some peculiar interpretation of the law, however, they never seem to be.

 

[Syd Swan]

Another one I find of interest is the block, when a forward goes to make a lead and his team mate deliberately blocks the opposition. Surely that is an illegal sheperd.

 

[Bob_vic]

Originally posted by GhostofJimJess
So, is trying to punch or spoil the ball still considered contesting a mark? If so, then a forward shepherding a floating ball through the goals should also be penalised.

Another point is, the shepherd usually occurs away from the flight of the ball, i.e 2-5 metres away, so none of those players can be ruled to be 'in a marking contest'.

Originally posted by Syd Swan
Another one I find of interest is the block, when a forward goes to make a lead and his team mate deliberately blocks the opposition. Surely that is an illegal sheperd.

Yes, it is. But, there is a difference between holding one's ground and a deliberately action to block.

Bob