This is not my game anymore.

[Coopers]

First they came for the tackle, with the reinterpretation of the HTB rule,
and I didn't speak out because our blokes weren't so great at tackling and pressure.

Then they came for the forwards, with the hands in the back rule,
and I didn't speak out because our blokes didn't have a big dominant forward.

Then they came for the footballers, with the pro-athlete rules and fast ball movement policies,
and I didn't speak out because we weren't very talented.

Then they came for the ball winners,
and I didn't speak out because we're always second to the ball.

Then they came for the athletes, with the rotation limitation,
and I didn't speak out because we've got a fitness coach, apparently.

Then they came for the blokes that go hard at the leather, with the "below the knees" rule.
and I didn't speak out.

Then they came for me,
and there was no one left to speak for me.
This is not my game anymore.

 

[power09]

gonna be ok?

 

[Kakkle]

Ciao bella xo

 

[fomoco04]

gonna be ok?

May already be too late.

RIP

 

[the distributer]

Thread would have more cred if it weren't created by a Crows fan lol, but yeah, the AFL are fking the game, we'll be wearing bibs soon.

 

[Bluelegs]

Umpiring was pretty good tonight. Don't like the below the knees rule but aside from that I was impressed.

 

[KGBeast]

Grandmaster Bartlett is the one you seek. You can call him in the mornings on 9429 1116. Ask for Kevin.

 

[Lunchlady Doris]

It was a good decision - Reilly wasn't just going for the footy - he went past the footy, didn't even gather possession properly, and dived for Davey's legs looking for a free.

Glad he was penalised for trying to milk a free.

If they only pay them like that all year it will be a good rule.

 

[terry_bright]

It was a good decision - Reilly wasn't just going for the footy - he went past the footy, didn't even gather possession properly, and dived for Davey's legs looking for a free.

Glad he was penalised for trying to milk a free.

If they only pay them like that all year it will be a good rule.

Agreed

Also the one given on the wing where van Berlo (?) went to ground, didn't get near it and took out Kommer's legs was a good decision.

 

[DJ75]

http://www.unambitiousus.com/sports/how-to-ruin-the-worlds-best-game/ this article covers the head high, in the back and sliding rules. Worth reading

 

[footy75]

agree with the OP.. the bump etc etc

u now get a free if u run head first into someone even if they are standing still

when the ball is in dispute u cant have a read hot crack without giving away an int he back, too high or some other bullshit technicality...backman almost have no chance without risking giving away a free

players are constantly holding their hands back in a cry of innicence and some hesitant about going for the ball...its ridiculous

oh and dont push or shove anyone the little maggot will pull some crappy free out of now here in front of goal

they just want to keep ****ing the game up

sooner KB moves on the better

 

[badmeetsevil45]

I dont know what the hell is happening to our precious game. Once upon a time, this game was for the toughest campaigners in the country, now with excess soft**** rules such as the below the knee shit is a slap in the face to my whole life being dedicated to this game. Taylor Walker said it perfectly, as a kid your tought to go in hard for the ball, now you get a free kick for standing there and doing nothing. It doesnt matter what team you support, this below the knee rule cannot be justified. People argue its to protect players from knee injuries...well it might protect them, but why don't we wrap the players in bubble wrap so they dont break any bones or scrape their knees when being tackled or something.

**** you Demetriou. You ruined the game forever

 

[Pavlovs Cat]

You didn't speak out because you were researching quotation books.

 

[im_a_lazy_sod]

Need an independent body like FIFA (but for aussie rules) to govern the game and all the different leagues to the same set of rules and regulations - same goes for independent drug testers

At the moment the AFL controls the whole league, teams and rules.

Meanwhile state, local, junior leagues are governed and run differently - albeit endorsed by the AFL in some way

Basically the AFL should stick to running the league under the guidance of something like FIFA - who also govern the state, local, country, junior leagues who play Aussie rules

 

[caitsith01]

Definitely need the rules to be controlled independently of the commercial/political motivations of the AFL.

The ones who make me sick are the rules committee. Hearing these guys, who were hard, serious players in their day, defending b.s. like the sliding in rule is just unbearable. How can Leigh Matthews sit there and defend appalling tiggy-touchwood free kicks week in and week out, for instance?

Umpiring in the Crows v Lions game yesterday was a new low. Half the time the players didn't know what was happening, let alone the fans.

The AFL loves "interpretations" of the rules - I'd like to see one global interpretation, which is that if a technical infringement doesn't affect the flow of play in any way, no free kick is to be awarded. No more frees for a light touch of the hand on the shoulder or neck. No more frees because a player made "front on contact" (where is that in the rules, anyway) but didn't actually stop the other player from marking. Etc.

And I am yet to meet a footy fan who doesn't wish that incorrect disposal was still a thing. How do they pay frees for virtually nothing when it comes to high contact or "pushes in the back" (aka legitimate tackles) yet ignore 50+ incorrect disposals every game?

 

[Slax]

People have said that Melbourne play bruise free football, but it is the AFL that clearly want to have bruise free footy. Rules are being developed to clearly head down this path and it is butchering the game, to such an extent that it is harming whatever chances we had in developing NRL markets. Many rugby fans see little difference between the AFL and soccer as far as physical toughness goes and they are pretty much right. You might see someone split a pack a couple of times a year, but for the most part it is purely take handball/throw ball to teammate run on.

AFL had a product that could appeal to the rugby market 10 years ago, but now they don't. When the choice is AFL or go and experience the atmosphere you get at a West Sydney Wanderers match, unsurprisingly they are going to the Wanderers. AFL crowds are now almost as sanitised as the game itself, there are a few notable exceptions, both WA clubs, both SA clubs and Geelong at Geelong, even Collingwood if you aren't in the Ponsford stand are pretty tame.

The rules committee is destroying AFL footy and it is only a matter of time before the crowds drop and the viewers switch off, once the other channels realise this and put something else half decent on.

 

[blackcat]

how bout a game of mahjong

 

[swingdog]

Is there another sport in the world that is an influenced by umpiring decisions? Cricket, especially in the bad old days of home umpires, I guess.

But in terms of fast moving ball games, I don't get the impression that it happens to the same extent with soccer, basketball, league but is that correct? It feels like those sports have clear rules which don't change much over time and leave less room for interpretation.

 

[caitsith01]

Is there another sport in the world that is an influenced by umpiring decisions? Cricket, especially in the bad old days of home umpires, I guess.

But in terms of fast moving ball games, I don't get the impression that it happens to the same extent with soccer, basketball, league but is that correct? It feels like those sports have clear rules which don't change much over time and leave less room for interpretation.

Soccer is much worse IMHO. Games are frequently decided by poor decisions - it only takes one red card, one penalty, one bad offside rule to ruin a game. One of the reasons I can't really be bothered with it.

 

[black_spankie]

Needs more blah, blah, blah