Lost rules?

We don’t think we’re being pedantic expecting that a foundation rule of Aussie Rules football be adhered to in the game’s elite competition. Actually, there were any number of rules not adhered to in watching the four finals this weekend, but we’ve got one in particular on our mind.


We think we saw instances in all four games of players being pushed in the back by a pursuing player. Certainly, the one pictured was as obvious as the nose on our face. Swan Ryan O’Keefe is pursued by Saint Brendon Goddard. Goddard can’t get close enough to attempt to grab O’Keefe, so he pushes him in the back — firmly and in full view — in an effort to unbalance him. No free kick.

AussieRulesBlog knows we can be slow on the uptake at times, but we were firmly convinced that even placing a hand on an opponent’s back was a free kick — or does that one only apply in marking contests, Jeff?

Not for the first time, we’re beginning to see the emergence of a new set of rules for the final series, culminating in a Grand Final that everyone will agree was umpired beautifully because the umpires “let the game go”.

AussieRulesBlog doesn’t have anything against the notion of a less interventionist umpiring style. In fact we think it would be a positive benefit for the game.

What we do have something against is inconsistency! The umpiring in the first game of pre-season and the Grand Final should be all but indistinguishable. Sadly, under the Gieschen Directorate, you could be forgiven for thinking you were watching two different sports — related perhaps, but different.

Is it too much to ask that a push in the back, a blatant, undisguised push in the back be paid as a free kick?

Release the Giesch!!!