Rules Why does every. single. contest. have to result in a free kick!?

[Bunk Moreland]

It seems to have gone to yet another level this year. It’s infuriating.

I’m not trying to whinge after my team lost last night - we received plenty of frees that fell into this bucket and obviously the umpiring had zero impact on the result.

Thursday night was the same.

It feels like every contested situation has to result in a free kick. Every time two players come together.

Is there no room at all for physical contests and strength?

Anybody else feel this? Or am I an old man yelling at clouds??

 

[Jootube]

Genuinely? Adding more umpires just makes the game over-officiated.

Now there are at least 2 umpires willing the blow the whistle at every contest and obviously if one umpire calls play on and another blows the whistle, the whistle overrides the play-on.

They need to tell the off the ball umpires to only blow the whistle for a borderline-reportable incident, NEVER for holding, chopping of the arms, or blocking.

You're not imagining it, more umpires = more free kicks.

 

[Macca180]

That's what it feels like. Any contact in a contest. Blow the whistle.
It's a hard watch.
Can never relax, just waiting for the umpire to pull out some bs ticky touch crap.

Why footy was so good before, you had to earn a free kick. Otherwise play on.

It's simple, let it go unless it's obvious.

 

[quotemokc]

Because AFL is one of the few sports that encourages players to 'earn' frees

 

[TwoDivisions]

Because AFL is one of the few sports that encourages players to 'earn' frees

I'm curious if this is resulting in simulated fouls...

 

[Jim Prideaux]

Because AFL is one of the few sports that encourages players to 'earn' frees

Is it?

 

[Jim Prideaux]

It seems to have gone to yet another level this year. It’s infuriating.

I’m not trying to whinge after my team lost last night - we received plenty of frees that fell into this bucket and obviously the umpiring had zero impact on the result.

Thursday night was the same.

It feels like every contested situation has to result in a free kick. Every time two players come together.

Is there no room at all for physical contests and strength?

Anybody else feel this? Or am I an old man yelling at clouds??

To give a serious response to your thread bunk, which indeed deserves one, I’ve been wondering about the speed of the game a bit. The new rule changes from what I have watched have had an obvious affect on- the ball seems to ping from end to end a lot more. With this in mind, I think umpires are getting caught out of position more often, causing them to guess about infringements more than previous years. On top of this is the bizarre implementation of the last touch rule, which seems to be ‘find the free’ rather than ‘I’m not sure, throw in’. Teams have taken advantage of this already - forwards go down, players hold arms rather than chopping in the knowledge that the umpires are still trying to catch up and are likely blindsided.

 

[Seeds]

It seems to have gone to yet another level this year. It’s infuriating.

I’m not trying to whinge after my team lost last night - we received plenty of frees that fell into this bucket and obviously the umpiring had zero impact on the result.

Thursday night was the same.

It feels like every contested situation has to result in a free kick. Every time two players come together.

Is there no room at all for physical contests and strength?

Anybody else feel this? Or am I an old man yelling at clouds??

Free kick counts were much higher in the 70s and 80s. If anything we dont have enough.

 

[H00t]

I think this is as much more on the players than the umpires. They will play right up to the line wherever it is set.

Knowing that they will get away with far more than what gets called. As many frees get paid there’s way more arm chops, holds, blocks that get ignored.

Just watch any ball up. At least 2-3 mids are being held plus anyone who tries to grab the ball is held well before they pick up the ball.

 

[Leather Poisoning]

Front on contact is one where where it's only exceptional circumtances that result in no free kick.

I dunno why this rule has been so readily accepted by the football world to be honest. Defenders bascially have to watch the forward mark it if they come from the wrong direction. If they go for the mark themselves the forward never gets called for front on contact. (if two players run into each other front-on then do

 

[Adelaide Hawk]

I think this is as much more on the players than the umpires. They will play right up to the line wherever it is set.

Knowing that they will get away with far more than what gets called. As many frees get paid there’s way more arm chops, holds, blocks that get ignored.

Just watch any ball up. At least 2-3 mids are being held plus anyone who tries to grab the ball is held well before they pick up the ball.

I've been on about this for several years. Players are being tackled as they attempt to gather the ball. And if they fumble the ball, it's play on. I wish they would clamp down on this.

 

[Pistol Night]

We need more score reviews with inconclusive footage also. Adds to the game wonderfully

 

[Waca Jr]

Seems they just continue to watch contests in order to pluck one out of their arse rather than paying the obvious. As for holding the ball, incorrect disposal needs to come back if you grab the ball and it spills in the tackle, stiff shit. Free kick against. How often do you see a team kick a goal after a ball spills lose from a perfectly executed tackle?

 

[Pistol Night]

Seems they just continue to watch contests in order to pluck one out of their arse rather than paying the obvious. As for holding the ball, incorrect disposal needs to come back if you grab the ball and it spills in the tackle, stiff shit. Free kick against. How often do you see a team kick a goal after a ball spills lose from a perfectly executed tackle?

The inconsistency is what drives people nuts. Either pay them all or **** it off

 

[Waca Jr]

The inconsistency is what drives people nuts. Either pay them all or **** it off

yep, hence why i was filthy all Friday night. Just flat out embarrassing.

 

[uranium_death]

AFL is becoming basketball.
First quarter, Richmond player applies a good bump on a Melbourne player.
Free kick Melbourne.
Disgraceful.

I remember when the game was physical.

Now, we have Craig Bradleys everywhere who refuse to put their bodies in, or apply any pressure.

 

[uranium_death]

Because AFL is one of the few sports that encourages players to 'earn' frees

 

[WA ROO]

Plenty of grey areas so the CFL has it's approved result

 

[Adelaide Hawk]

Seems they just continue to watch contests in order to pluck one out of their arse rather than paying the obvious. As for holding the ball, incorrect disposal needs to come back if you grab the ball and it spills in the tackle, stiff shit. Free kick against. How often do you see a team kick a goal after a ball spills lose from a perfectly executed tackle?

The other thing that has crept into the game that annoys me is a player knows he has a teammate behind him, so he just propels the ball over his head with both hands, and they call it a handball. Also, when a player has the ball in his left hand and wants to give it to a player on his right hands side, we see him throw the ball across the body getting a knuckle to it as it passes. These are not handballs people, get it out of the game or just change the rule to allow players to dispose of the ball in any way they please.

 

[Pistol Night]

Stand! stand! stand! **** sake use another word. Freeze campaigner!

 

[Waca Jr]

The other thing that has crept into the game that annoys me is a player knows he has a teammate behind him, so he just propels the ball over his head with both hands, and they call it a handball. Also, when a player has the ball in his left hand and wants to give it to a player on his right hands side, we see him throw the ball across the body getting a knuckle to it as it passes. These are not handballs people, get it out of the game or just change the rule to allow players to dispose of the ball in any way they please.

yep, the old over the top air ball handball. Another blight on the game

 

[The Hobo]

I've been on about this for several years. Players are being tackled as they attempt to gather the ball. And if they fumble the ball, it's play on. I wish they would clamp down on this.

This would result in even more free kicks.

They need to pay free kicks for infractions that actually impact play.

I hate that it's so difficult for a defender to defend a marking forward these days. Incidental contact to the arms, a hand around the waist (without actually pulling them down) etc. - all free kicks.

Unless you've chopped the arm properly, or you've swung them around with your hold, just play on. It's become like basketball level contact.

Incidental contact should be play on. If these guys were playing a friendly with their mates, they wouldn't stop for that crap, they only stop for the proper fouls. Should be the same here.