Effes wrote:
At one point Commetti finally said something about players being allowed to drop the ball - I think it was Roberton who had it then simply dropped the ball yet no free was paid.
Why don't these !@#$%& write it into the rules that you're allowed to drop the ball or throw it...would save us so much energy.
Don't blame the umpires for this (and I'm not saying that you are).
Blame the AFL Laws of the Game Committee.
Adrian Anderson (chairman), Kevin Bartlett, Luke Darcy, Brendon Gale, Leigh Mathews, Andrew McKay, Matthew Pavlich, Rowan Sawers, Michael Sexton.
The rules specifically state that you can't throw the ball.
Quote:
15.3.2 Incorrect Disposal and Payment of Free Kick
When the football is in play, a Free Kick shall be awarded against a Player who hands the football to another Player or throws the football.
However they have made it almost impossible to ping someone for dropping the ball.
Quote:
15.2.4 Application — Specific Instances where Play shall Continue
For the avoidance of doubt, the field Umpire shall allow play to continue when:
(a) a Player is bumped and the football falls from the Player’s hands;
(b) a Player’s arm is knocked which causes the Player to lose possession of the football;
(c) a Player’s arms are pinned to his or her side by an opponent which causes the Player to drop the football, unless the Player has had a prior opportunity to Correctly Dispose of the football, in which case Law 15.2.3 (a) shall apply;
(d) a Player, whilst in the act of Kicking or Handballing, is swung off-balance and does not make contact with the football by either foot or hand, unless the Player has had a prior opportunity to Correctly Dispose of the football, in which case Law 15.2.3 (a) shall apply; or
(e) a Player is pulled or swung by one arm which causes the football to fall from the Player’s hands, unless the Player has had a prior opportunity to Correctly Dispose of the football, in which case Law 15.2.3 (a) shall apply.
Quote:
15.2.3 Holding the Football — Prior Opportunity/No Prior Opportunity
Where the field Umpire is satisfied that a Player in possession of the football:
(a) has had a prior opportunity to dispose of the football, the field Umpire shall award a Free Kick against that Player if the Player does not Kick or Handball the football immediately when he or she is Correctly Tackled; or
(b) has not had a prior opportunity to dispose of the football, the field Umpire shall award a Free Kick against that Player if, upon being Correctly Tackled, the Player does not Correctly Dispose or attempt to Correctly Dispose of the football after being given a reasonable opportunity to do so.