Two more coaches join hit list
28 February 2007 Herald-Sun
Mark Robinson
KEVIN Sheedy and Terry Wallace have turned up the heat on the AFL over the hands-in-the-back rule, demanding it be reassessed after the NAB Cup.
The Essendon and Richmond bosses join counterparts Rodney Eade, Mick Malthouse and Paul Roos in questioning the controversial rule change.
The concerns range from the rule's immediate introduction to a fear smaller defenders might be phased from the game.
"I honestly believe we should look at it through the NAB Cup and reassess it at the end of the NAB Cup," Sheedy said yesterday. "It needs more time for the fans and for the players. At this stage I'd say the judges are watching."
Wallace saw no evidence the rule would improve football and, like Sheedy, subtly slapped the league for its immediate introduction without trial.
"I actually haven't heard anyone who brought it in say, 'Gee, I think it's fantastic and working well'," Wallace said.
He argued most rules had been trialled for at least 12 months in the pre-season competition before being rejected or approved for the season proper.
"But this was taken to the degree without knowing the consequences and without going through a process like the ruck rule did," Wallace said.
"This was, 'we don't like it' -- and I still don't know who "we" are but -- 'we don't like it, but it's coming in'.
"I'd like to know if the same "we" liked the first week (of matches) because I didn't.
"I went to have a look at the Carlton-Essendon game and the decisions given in that game I thought the players were bewildered. I thought it impacted on the game and I thought the officials were having a greater impact than they've ever had before."
Introduced for the 2007 season, the rule -- which doesn't allow a player's hand to touch the back of an opponent in a marking contest -- has received a luke-warm response at best.
The AFL said on Monday the rule interpretation worked smoothly, a stance which was yesterday supported by Kangaroos coach Dean Laidley, Power and Crows coaches Mark Williams and Neil Craig and Brisbane's Leigh Matthews.
The Tigers had umpires coach Rowan Sawers at Punt Rd training yesterday, with emphasis on body contact in marking contests.
Wallace is as frustrated as his defender Darren Gaspar, who on Sunday gave away three free kicks in nine minutes to Geelong big man Brad Ottens.
"Who will survive? Athletic backmen, but players who can adapt their game," he said.
"I feel sorry . . . there's Darren, Mal Michael, James Clement, players who are 10 years into their careers who have been teaching other players how to play the game and the nuances of defensive play.
"It's very difficult for guys in their last couple of years, to say to them everything you've done, everything you've learnt is washed out the door."
Sheedy argued any new rule needed time.
"I'm not saying I'm totally against it, I want to see a proper trial over the NAB Cup and then we can assess it," he said. "The only thing I would suggest is use it in the NAB Cup again next year and then after two years assess it."
Wallace said the AFL should look at it in the NAB Cup and then make a decision.
"If it was just in for the NAB Cup, then we could reflect on how the rule went and I would have no issue because that's what the NAB Cup is for."
Laidley yesterday had just one concern: the forward pushing back or stopping on the running defender, an issue raised by playing and coaching great Malcolm Blight.
"Human reaction is hands in the back and I think that might be the part that has to be looked at," Laidley said. "The rest of it seemed to work OK."
Williams told the Herald Sun last night: "I'm fine with it, I'm certainly not going to worry about it."
Neil Craig said: "In our games so far it has had no effect, but I'm very interested in how it is interpreted as the season progresses."
Leigh Matthews said: "It encourages a player to play in front, so I'm happy with it."
However Eade was adamant on Monday it had to be reviewed. "I don't agree with it, it's going to cause a lot of angst," he said.
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,21299312%255E19742,00.html
