Tigers to tackle with careBy Paul Daffey
Wed 25 Apr, 2012RICHMOND defender Steven Morris says the Tigers must be disciplined when they tackle West Coast players during this Sunday's game at Etihad Stadium.
His statement follows comments from Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson after the Hawks' five-point loss to the Eagles at Patersons Stadium on Saturday.
Clarkson said the likes of Matt Priddis, Adam Selwood, Scott Selwood, Ashton Hams and Daniel Kerr were adept at shrugging their shoulders to turn legal tackles into head-high contact, and that the practice should be considered the same as ducking the head.
Morris said the Tigers trained hard on their tackling techniques.
"We're a really disciplined side," he said.
"We've just got to go out there and play the ball hard and make sure we don't give the umpires opportunities to pay those free kicks."
Statistics confirm that Richmond is a disciplined tackling team.
Carlton has conceded the fewest free kicks for head-high tackles this season (14) followed by Richmond (17) and West Coast (18).
Geelong has given away the most free kicks for head-high tackles (34) while Hawthorn is second on the list with 32.
"We've just got to focus on our techniques," Morris said.
"The onus is on the player to make sure they execute the tackle correctly. If you slip high, you're going to pay the consequences. "
The Eagles have received the most free kicks for a high tackle (42). Luke Shuey has been given 12, the most in the competition, while two others Eagles are in the top six.
Hams has received eight free kicks for a high tackle, while Scott Selwood has received five.
Umpires manager Jeff Gieschen said the League was monitoring the spate of shrugging tackles to induce head-high contact.
He said he had no problems with it, but he warned players against dropping to their knees to milk free kicks.
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/133993/default.aspx
