The bump back on trial (Re: Motlop)

[mightytiges]

What did we all think of Motlop's bump today on Swan Jesse White?

I reckon Motlop is gone as he was off the ground when he hit White. Port are claiming it an "accidental" lol 

http://afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/72416/default.aspx

[one-eyed]

Motlop only copped a reprimand

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/72446/default.aspx

[Chuck17]

Motlop only copped a reprimand

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/72446/default.aspx

Really thats interesting I never seen it but from what I heard his feet had left the ground on impact and he was thought to be in a bit of bother

[one-eyed]

Just get the ball, Wallace urges Tigers
Roger Vaughan
February 24, 2009 - 1:29PM

Richmond coach Terry Wallace admits to confusion about what body contact is allowed in the AFL, but the message to his players remains unambiguous.

"Go and get the footy - if you go and get the footy, you don't have to worry about it (bumping) too much," Wallace said.

"I'd rather see their head over the ball and getting it first."

Wallace said several incidents during the opening round of the pre-season competition had left him unsure about what sort of bumping was allowed.

The issue was highlighted last week, when Collingwood captain Nick Maxwell unsuccessfully contested his rough conduct charge at the tribunal.

But last Friday, he became the first player to successfully challenge a suspension under the current tribunal system when the appeals panel ruled in his favour.

Wallace will not specify which incidents have left him looking for answers.

He said he had spoken to former Tigers great Kevin Bartlett, a member of the AFL's Laws of the Game committee, on Tuesday morning about the matter.

Wallace thinks the official rules DVD which the AFL distributes before each season sets out clearly what sort of bumping is legal and what contact will result in sanctions.

But he has concerns about how the league has handled several incidents so far during the pre-season.

"We (AFL coaches) have a meeting prior to the start of the season and we'll look for a little bit of clarification surrounding the bump," he said.

"We all probably have our varying opinions on three or four or five incidents over the last couple of weeks, what should or shouldn't have been done with them.

"I'm not sure whether the adjudication from that has been identical to what the DVD was.

"So that's just where the clarification needs to come in.

On Tuesday, Hawthorn midfielder Clinton Young and Port Adelaide forward Daniel Motlop accepted reprimands for their rough conduct charges.

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-sport/just-get-the-ball-wallace-urges-tigers-20090224-8gfi.html

[mightytiges]

Well like Terry I'm confused  ???. I thought once you left the ground to bump you were gone for more than just a reprimand ???.

Young's tunnelling Davey looked a shocker the way Davey came down. I remember Presti once doing tha to Richo about 5 years ago. Richo came down head first still holding onto the mark despite having his legs taken out while up in the air.

[one-eyed]

New wording of rules and regulations: rough conduct
afl.com.au
3:15 PM Fri 27 February, 2009

THE NEW wording of the AFL Player Rules and AFL Tribunal Guidelines is as follows:

AFL Player Rules - Appendix 1

(1) A player shall be deemed to have committed a Reportable Offence under Law 19.2.2(g)(vii) [Rough Conduct] where in the bumping of an opponent (whether reasonably or unreasonably) he causes forceful contact to be made with any part of his body to an opponent’s head or neck and instead of bumping, the player had a realistic alternative to:
a) contest the ball; or
b) tackle the opponent

(2) For the purpose of categorising the level of a Reportable Offence under paragraph (1) in accordance with this Appendix 1, unless intentional or reckless, such conduct shall be classified as negligent

(3) Paragraph (1) does not limit in any way the operation of Law 19.2.2(g)(vii)

AFL Tribunal Guidelines – Rough Conduct

It is a Reportable Offence to intentionally, recklessly or negligently engage in rough conduct against an opponent which in the circumstances is unreasonable.

Without limiting the above, a player will be guilty of Rough Conduct where in the bumping of an opponent (whether reasonably or unreasonably) he causes forceful contact to be made with any part of his body to an opponent’s head or neck and instead of bumping, the player had a realistic alternative to:

a) contest the ball; or
b) tackle the opponent

Even if the player did not have any of these alternatives realistically open to him he may still be guilty of Rough Conduct if his conduct was unreasonable in the circumstances. In determining whether any bump was unreasonable in the circumstances regard will be had to:

- whether the degree of force applied by the person bumping was excessive for the situation;
- whether the player being bumped was actively involved in the passage of play;
- the distance the player applying the bump has run to make contact;
- whether an elbow is part of the contact;
- whether the player bumping jumps or leaves the ground to bump

In the interests of player safety, the purpose of the Rule dealing with high bumps is to reduce, as far as practicable, the risk of head injuries to players and this purpose needs to be kept firmly in mind by all players and will guide the application of the Rule.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/72635/default.aspx

[one-eyed]

AFL's explanation of the re-write....

AFL re-writes rough conduct rules
afl.com.au
By Luke Holmesby 4:33 PM Fri 27 February, 2009

THE AFL has re-worded its laws in an attempt to provide clarity on rough conduct in the wake of Collingwood captain Nick Maxwell's tribunal case.

Maxwell was suspended for four weeks for making high contact with West Coast's Patrick McGinnity in round one of the NAB Cup, but was let off after a successful appearance before the AFL Appeals Board.

McGinnity had his jaw broken in the clash and could miss up to 12 weeks.

Under the AFL Commission's new wording of Law 19.2.2(g)(vii) the law has been changed to protect the player's head and neck.

It confirms that it is a reportable offence to make forceful contact to an opponent's head or neck when there's a realistic alternative to contest the ball or tackle.

A third option to shepherd for a teammate in a manner reasonable in the circumstances has been removed.

If a player is reported under this interpretation the conduct will be categorised as negligent by the match review panel.

League football operations manager Adrian Anderson said the change was made to avoid confusion and to protect player safety.

"This rule has been in place for the last two seasons and the general feedback from coaches and clubs during that time is that players know where they stand – if a player chooses to bump when he could have tackled or contested the ball, the player would face the consequences," he said.

"Most importantly, the most recent AFL Injury Survey reported the lowest incidence of head and neck injuries on record."

The AFL consulted the AFL Players' Association and AFL Coaches Association before making the change and both supported the decision.

Anderson said the AFL Appeals Board's decision to overturn Maxwell's ban reflected a different interpretation of the rules and also the intent of the Commission.

"Subsequent to this decision, we have received feedback from the AFL medical officers, and also from AFL Medical Officers Association executive officer Dr Hugh Seward. They have confirmed their concern for head and neck injuries in certain 'high risk' on-field situations," he said.

"Both the AFL medical officers and the AFL Medical Officers Association continue to recommend that the AFL hold players responsible for head-high contact caused by a bump, where the player laying the bump had a realistic alternative to either contest the ball or tackle."

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/72640/default.aspx