Archer admitted he "tunnelled" Richo

[mightytiges]

Interesting to hear Archer tonight who had a decent record on Richo admit to tunnelling Richo (take the legs out while an opponent is up in the air). Archer said it was the only thing he could do as he couldn't reach the arms to spoil so he had to get Richo under the ball by tunnelling so the ball went over the back. 

[richmondrules]

Interesting to hear Archer tonight who had a decent record on Richo admit to tunnelling Richo (take the legs out while an opponent is up in the air). Archer said it was the only thing he could do as he couldn't reach the arms to spoil so he had to get Richo under the ball by tunnelling so the ball went over the back. 

No need to wonder why poor old Richo gets so frustrated with some of the descisions (or non decisions). I am not surprised to hear that. I take it "tunnelling" is not exactly legal or perhaps not in the spirit of the game. Sounds bloody dangerous actually. Richo is such a big guy and so quick that you would think that defenders would need to try everything they could to get on top of him. If he could kick consistently I have no doubt he would be the greatest forward who ever lived.

[Beren]

The Age today reports that St K are a tad riled about Sydney's 'tunnelling' of Nick R.

http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/saints-planning-challenge-to-swans-tunnelling-tactic/2008/03/24/1206207012578.html

[Fishfinger]

Dangerous ploy. Could result in serious injury.

Unfortunate topic name. 

[mightytiges]

Dangerous ploy. Could result in serious injury.

Unfortunate topic name. 

It grabbed your attention FF 

Pretty gutless act to take the legs out from someone up in the air. No way they can reorientate themselves before landing on their arms, back, neck or head. It's actually frowned upon in basketball and NRL. I remember Richo taking a mark against the Pies (round 1 2004) and Dermie mentioned in the call that Richo showed great courage choosing to take the mark at full stretch over self-preservation knowing his legs were taken out and he would hit the ground hard.

[one-eyed]

Richo calls for 'tunnelling' ban
Len Johnson and Richard Hinds | March 26, 2008

RICHMOND forward Matthew Richardson said yesterday the AFL should act decisively to prevent any use of the controversial tactic of "tunnelling" in marking contests.

"Tunnelling" involves taking a player's body under the ball while he is in the air, and carries the risk of the target landing heavily while unprotected.

Richardson said the player going for a mark should not be subjected to unfair interference. Being thrown off balance while in the air could lead to a high risk of serious injury, he said.

"Once you're in the air and your feet are off the ground, if you get taken off balance, you've got no control how you land," Richardson said. "So it's not something you'd want to happen. You'd get blokes landing and doing their knees. Once a guy is in the air and going for a mark, if he's pushed, it gets dangerous."

Richardson, who is in his 16th AFL season, said he had no personal concerns as he felt the tactic had only ever been used against him once or twice over that time. But he had seen it used in ruck contests.

The tactic has come under the spotlight after St Kilda alleged it was used against Nick Riewoldt in last Saturday night's game against Sydney. They say the tactic was used against Riewoldt on occasions last year as well.

The Saints are putting together a case to take to the AFL umpiring department later this week.

The umpiring department has admitted that free kicks could have been paid to Riewoldt against his immediate opponent, Craig Bolton, in two incidents in the second half of the game.

In both of them, Bolton used his body to nudge Riewoldt under the ball, causing the Saint to land heavily. In one case, Riewoldt's head appeared to contact with the ground.

But Bolton insists he has never practised or been instructed to use the tactic, which was banned in basketball. "No, definitely not," said Bolton ...

Full article at:
http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/richo-calls-for-tunnelling-ban/2008/03/25/1206207106768.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1

[blx]

IMO, this whole "tunnelling" business is just a media beatup.

To prove my point why wasnt this brought up when Archer supposedly "tunnelled" Richo???

Could it be that pushing someone under the ball (a fair ploy that has been employed for eons and eons without much fanfair) now has a catchy yuppy media friendly name, TUNNELLING???

At the current rate i guess in 5 years time, contesting the ball too hard on the ground will be known as "CRUNCHING" and will be outlawed for being too dangerous 

Funny how both incidents only happened to Riewoldt isnt it? Does this say anything about him?

Has anyone ever seen Jonathan Brown or Bustling Barry get "TUNNELLED"??? no pun intended of course 

[mightytiges]

Funny how both incidents only happened to Riewoldt isnt it? Does this say anything about him?

He had a cry about it lol.

[blx]

outlawing tunnelling brings in a whole host of arguments.

for instance, whats the guy behind supposed to do.

1. Stop dead from full pace so he doesnt make contact with the player going for the mark?
2. Not contest the ball for fear of tunnelling?
3. Fall to the ground to so he makes no contact with the player?

what in the world is a defender to do?

If your running at full pace behind someone and they jump for the pill, you as a defender must try and spoil the contest if you dont your not doing your job for the team.

crikey, first the hands on the back now tunnelling. Oh to be a Forward these days.

[Ox]

yeh,good points blx.

Also,what's the guy backing into the pack suppose to do
considering EVERYBoDY has eyes for the ball,making it totally Legal
according to the rules of the AFL?

[mightytiges]

outlawing tunnelling brings in a whole host of arguments.

for instance, whats the guy behind supposed to do.

1. Stop dead from full pace so he doesnt make contact with the player going for the mark?
2. Not contest the ball for fear of tunnelling?
3. Fall to the ground to so he makes no contact with the player?

what in the world is a defender to do?

If your running at full pace behind someone and they jump for the pill, you as a defender must try and spoil the contest if you dont your not doing your job for the team.

crikey, first the hands on the back now tunnelling. Oh to be a Forward these days.

It really only happens when an undersized defender plays on a big forward and has no chance of spoiling. I really only have a problem with it if the contact is late and soley directed at the lower legs while the player is up in the air. The defender deliberately has to do it IMO. Out of the two Riewoldt incidents there was nothing in the second one. Bolton hit Reiwoldt in the hips/backside.

Don't start me on the stupid hands in the back rule  .