The West Coast Eagles bringing the game into disrepute...

[Probitas_]

There's some fundamental problems with altering rules at every new tactic that comes in to the game, and something which I'm against as a fan.

The solution would seem pretty simple really: Interpretation.

If a player is deemed to initiate or contribute willfully towards a head high infringement, then it's play on.

Agree with not changing the rules, I'm also not a fan of it at all. But with this won't players just learn how to draw a free kick out in an entirely different way?

 

[Oneiros]

There's some fundamental problems with altering rules at every new tactic that comes in to the game, and something which I'm against as a fan.

The solution would seem pretty simple really: Interpretation.

If a player is deemed to initiate or contribute willfully towards a head high infringement, then it's play on.

Part of the problem is not just rules and interpretations, but also doing so in a way that isn't going to make things more inconsistent and cause more supporters to lose their voices screaming WTF from the terraces.

We could go the Careless, Reckless, Excessive approach that soccer uses and leave umpires to interpret whether they feel an incident is severe enough to warrant free kick sanction (or report), but I'm not sure that watching Umpires exercise more individual judgement (which will differ depending on which of the three field umpires is where) is going to provide much more satisfaction.

 

[Bigeasy]

Spot on! Onus has to be on the tackler to execute it properly, we cant be expected to just stand there and let the opposition tackle us and not try to break free so the tackle doesn't slip high. First to the footy will win the free kicks, simple as that.

Yea that is a fair point but you can't deny that Hams, Shuey and the Selwoods aren't duckers and milkers of frees? This will malign the players.

Also if you think us North supporters aren't objective search through our forum and you will see a number of threads about our own players staging for frees. Lindsay Thomas was a serial stager and we voiced our disapproval. Thankfully he seems to have stopped doing that. It's just not in the spirit of the game.

 

[Groggyk]

Agree with not changing the rules, I'm also not a fan of it at all. But with this won't players just learn how to draw a free kick out in an entirely different way?

Hence the willfully part of my post.

 

[Groggyk]

Part of the problem is not just rules and interpretations, but also doing so in a way that isn't going to make things more inconsistent and cause more supporters to lose their voices screaming WTF from the terraces.

We could go the Careless, Reckless, Excessive approach that soccer uses and leave umpires to interpret whether they feel an incident is severe enough to warrant free kick sanction (or report), but I'm not sure that watching Umpires exercise more individual judgement (which will differ depending on which of the three field umpires is where) is going to provide much more satisfaction.

It's simply a directive that needs to be addressed at the top much like the hands in the back has been implemented in marking contests.

The majority of players don't do that anymore and it's no longer an issue like it was growing to be throughout much of the 90's.

 

[Old Skool]

How do we fix the ducking tactic?

We are all of the belief that it exists and it is deliberate.

Should the umpires award a holding the ball free kick against players that blatantly attempt to go to ground and duck when they are tackled?

Throw a 50 metre penalty on top of it?

 

[brucespringsteen]

Interesting.

I see the merit, but wouldn't that lead to another large grey area? I mean, surely you wouldnt want big coathangers right around the neck being perfctly legal..?

well coat hangers are clearly in violation of the old rule of neck/head...more to the point they are clear...the old coat hanger was a black and white infringement...

The over the should rule has created this massive gray area....

push the laws back to neck/head high...it worked for how many years?

 

[Mr. Blonde]

Re: How do we fix the ducking tactic?

Easy.

1. Identify serial head-duckers (Selwoods, Hams, Shuey, etc)

2. Don't pay them any high tackle frees unless it is absolutely blatent.

3. These players will be forced to change their tactics.

4. The world becomes a better place.

 

[Old Skool]

Re: How do we fix the ducking tactic?

Easy.

1. Identify serial head-duckers (Selwoods, Hams, Shuey, etc)

Interesting thought.

 

[Kcrack]

Re: How do we fix the ducking tactic?

What Blonde said, let it go OS.

 

[Mixed Results]

Re: How do we fix the ducking tactic?

imo an instance where a player blatantly risks there own safety to gain a free kick should be penalized, if the rules are all about safety then surely players can be penalized for risking there own

 

[LT Smash]

Don't need a rule change, just interpret the rules as written. The AFL says anyone initiating head high contact, especially deliberately, should face lengthy bans from the game. It's dangerous and someone could be badly injured. So ban these players using their heads as pile drivers, or dropping at the knees to turn a fair tackle into a coat hanger in order to draw free kicks. It's dangerous and someone could be badly injured.

 

[croode]

Re: How do we fix the ducking tactic?

imo an instance where a player blatantly risks there own safety to gain a free kick should be penalized, if the rules are all about safety then surely players can be penalized for risking there own

Unfortunately the buffoons that run the sport wont do a thing until someone is seriously hurt or maimed.

 

[Old Skool]

Jesus, you know we are on to something when we are getting sympathy on the Essendon board.

 

[Old Skool]

Re: How do we fix the ducking tactic?

What Blonde said, let it go OS.

I'm not here to stir mate, I want some legitimate discussion and solutions on addressing this blight on our game.

 

[naturally north]

Re: How do we fix the ducking tactic?

"Win the ****ing ball in the air, on the ground, on the freakin beaches and in blardy France if the need be!
Because until the New World, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and the liberation of the old. We are stuck with umpires".

Well said Winston C

 

[giantroo]

Jesus, you know we are on to something when we are getting sympathy on the Essendon board.

Mate, if what happened to us happens to them next week, there will be an uproar. They already whinge every week about free kicks, what makes you think they wont turn the world upside down next week if they cop the same shit?

 

[West Coast 06]

Re: How do we fix the ducking tactic?

We are all of the belief that it exists and it is deliberate.

Should the umpires award a holding the ball free kick against players that blatantly attempt to go to ground and duck when they are tackled?

Throw a 50 metre penalty on top of it?

So then every player then tackles the opposition high because they know they will then get a free and a fifty?? Because it is surely the player who puts his head over the balls fault, the tackler has no responsiblity to tackle correctly right?

I hope this goes for both teams as well, I'm sure Worsfold would have no problem instructing his team to tackle high and hard if you are going to get a free and a fifty out of it!

(Do you see yet how stupid your suggestion is?)

 

[giantroo]

well coat hangers are clearly in violation of the old rule of neck/head...more to the point they are clear...the old coat hanger was a black and white infringement...

The over the should rule has created this massive gray area....

push the laws back to neck/head high...it worked for how many years?

This. This. This.

 

[Old Skool]

Mate, if what happened to us happens to them next week, there will be an uproar. They already whinge every week about free kicks, what makes you think they wont turn the world upside down next week if they cop the same shit?

They will have BIG microscopes on them next week.

I could actually see Worsfold pulling the pin on this tactic for a week.

I like the idea of the umpires analysing referrals of serial cheats and penalising them. This has merit.

 

[giantroo]

They will have BIG microscopes on them next week.

I could actually see Worsfold pulling the pin on this tactic for a week.

I like the idea of the umpires analysing referrals of serial cheats and penalising them. This has merit.

They will actually lose without the tactic. It's their bread and butter....

 

[Seadog]

I think it is harsh to blame the Eagles as they are just takig advantage of shit umpiring. I remember the same frustration when the hawks were playing there a few weeks ago. Duck, duck, duck and they got the free every flipping time. Not to mention the good run with the umps they got when ducking wasn't even involved (although most teams get that when they play home). One particualr inident realy pissed me off more than the others. Maybe because the umpire had a great view and still paid it. Adam Selwood was runnin down the wing with the ball and due to the crowd screaming he could sense someone running behind him to run him down and get holding the ball. It was Buddy and just before he he could lay the tackle Selwood ducks(even sort of crouches down) and Buddy with his momentum pretty much falls over him. free kick paid for high tackle. F*** ME!!!. I wasnt happy

Pretty sure the kick was paid for in the back/carried forward, same as it is every other time someone gets buried from behind but carry on.

 

[LeFtBehinD]

We need to get the Shuey arm pull against Swallow played on every review program this week. 90% of the clueless media have no idea what they're getting away with.

 

[mightymouse75]

Re: West Coast Eagles ducking off to bed happy

How about everybody take a duck whistle to the next Freegles game & remind the umpires every time they are being sucked in

 

[Old Skool]

Re: West Coast Eagles ducking off to bed happy

How about everybody take a duck whistle to the next Freegles game & remind the umpires every time they are being sucked in

Brilliant idea.

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Round 15, July 7, we get the bastards here.

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