This is a nonsense’: Richmond left feeling like deliberate out of bounds rule was changed and they weren’t toldAugust 4, 2020 Both Richmond and the viewers at home have been left puzzled by a series of umpiring decisions around the deliberate out of bounds rule on Tuesday night.
The Tigers were the victims of two consecutive free kicks paid under the rule within 30 seconds, leaving Fox Footy’s commentators asking whether the rule had been changed and no-one was told.
The first free kick was paid against Liam Baker who dribbled a kick out of the Tigers’ defensive 50, bouncing towards teammate Marlion Pickett but then suddenly bouncing out of bounds.
Despite coming extremely close to finding a target, Baker was still penalised.
“It rolled about a metre in front of Pickett,” St Kilda great Nick Riewoldt said on Fox Footy.
Melbourne champion Garry Lyon added: “Essentially any kick out of bounds between the arcs is gonna be paid.
“The umpire must be a good judge of footy talent, because the players can’t bend the ball like that, so he’s assessed that was exactly what he meant.”
Then only a few seconds later, Ivan Soldo’s accidental kick out of bounds was also penalised for deliberate.
“Oh no,” Lyon said. “I’m telling you Rooey, last man to kick it or touch it gives a free kick!”
Riewoldt responded: “Then just bring the rule in.”
They weren’t the only ones confused by the calls.
Just make it last touched and be done with it. This is a nonsense.
— Andy Maher (@AndyMaherDFA) August 4, 2020
https://www.aflcrowcast.com/this-is-a-nonsense-richmond-left-feeling-like-deliberate-out-of-bounds-rule-was-changed-and-they-werent-told/
