Knee to the head - no free ?

Donny · Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2015 5:18 pm

One of the biggest anomalies in our game (Aussie Rules) involves the 'speccy'.

Again, yesterday, a perfect example. A Lion's player goes up behind one of our players (please, someone, name the players), clearly knees him to the back of the head, knocking his head forward, but takes the mark.

Mark paid, amid much cheering from the Lions' fans. Even called "possible mark of the year" by a commentator.

With the AFL (properly) putting so much importance on head contact - with accompanying penalties - why, in cases like this, is that factor ignored ?

We see it time and again. Player from behind climbs all over an oppo player, often putting knee/s in the back or on the shoulders of that player but takes and is paid the mark.

What makes this situation even more farcical is this: if player from behind doesn't take the mark, he's penalised - as he should be. Especially considering just a touch in the back, usually from a backman to a forward, draws a free, these days.

Yes, I agree, the speccy is certainly that - spectacular - but where, in the rules does it say all rules usually applying to the 'push in the back', 'high contact' and 'contact to the head' rules are to be ignored - if the offending player takes a mark ?

Woods Of Ypres · Joined: 27 May 2003 Location: Yugoslavia

the question is not about whether the player takes the mark or not, it is about whether the ball was in the vicinity of the contest.

if a high flying mark is dropped, as the long as the ball is in the vicinity there should be no free paid against. of course if a player flies way too early, for example, then the free is paid.

in the case of head high contact, yes it is a nuance of our game that a knee to the back of the head is no free, but neither is knee to the back or ribs. If its part of a marking contest its fair game, as it should be.

sixpoints · Joined: 27 Sep 2010 Location: Lulie Street

Varcoe kneed Rockliff in the back while attempting to mark. Busted some of his ribs and punctured a lung. No free awarded and Rockliff will now miss a few weeks.
This is how the game has been played for 120 years, even though the physical damage was severe, no free was warranted in this instance as Varcoe was legitimately attempting a mark.

Woods Of Ypres · Joined: 27 May 2003 Location: Yugoslavia

John Wren · Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2015 5:54 pm

bewick took the mark didn't he? also, in addition to the ball being within a five metre vicinity, if a player has eyes only for the ball then the rest becomes pretty much irrelevant.

Donny · Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2015 6:01 pm

So, JW, the italicised part of my last sentence IS the case.

My point is, how is that worded in the rules ?

swoop42 · Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2015 6:02 pm

While I don't agree with the example that Donny used as a case for a free kick I've had a problem with a few players over the years that have in my view intentionally exaggerated the positioning of there knee beyond what was required when going for marks.

Fevola was a prime example of such and blatantly IMO used his knee as a battering ram on occasions and was able to get away with.

John Wren · Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2015 6:07 pm

Damien · Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2015 9:59 pm

Didak was a master at jumping early and putting an opponent out of the contest with his boot or knee. It all comes down to holding the mark pretty much.

Cam · Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2015 10:39 pm

Watching the tribunal results this week makes me think thuggery will return in a big way in '15.

yin-YANG · Joined: 03 Oct 2011

AFL is a contact sport� and there are circumstances where contact is permitted as per the rules of the game: (See below) Note the last point - (e) That is as close as it comes, although 15.4.5 also indicates that contact to the back is permitted if the intention was to mark the footy. Head high contact is not mentioned though? More the spirit of letting the player go for the mark - if he marks the footy his intention was clear and any infringement is allowed.

15.4.3 Permitted Contact
Other than the Prohibited Contact identified under Law 15.4.5, a Player may make contact with another Player:
(a) by using their hip, shoulder, chest, arms or open hands provided
that the football is no more than 5 metres away from the Player;
(b) by pushing the other Player with an open hand in the chest or side of the body provided that the football is no more than 5 metres away from the Player;
(c) by executing a Correct Tackle;
(d) by executing a Shepherd provided that the football is no more
than 5 metres away from the Player; or
(e) if such contact is incidental to a marking contest and the Player is legitimately Marking or attempting to Mark the football.

MagpieMad · Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2015 10:03 am

it's the vibe.....

didick · didick Joined: 17 Jun 2009 Location: Brisbane

Woods Of Ypres · Joined: 27 May 2003 Location: Yugoslavia

Donny · Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2015 6:49 pm

Thanks, yin-YANG.

15.4.3 Permitted Contact (e).