Clarko war on ducker tactics

THE AFL has conceded Joel Selwood should not have been paid Monday’s contentious shrugging free kick as Alastair Clarkson yesterday declared war on ducking season.

Clarkson yesterday lit the fuse for a weekend of debate when he said the AFL needed to outlaw the practice to protect players from themselves.

The controversial issue flared again when Joel Selwood received a free kick for a tackle from Ryan Burton that started well below his shoulders.

But Selwood’s ability to shrug his shoulders and lean into the tackle meant he was rewarded a free kick as the tackle slipped high.

Clarkson wants umpires to call “play on” when they shrug their shoulders or drop their knees in a tackle, insisting the practice could lead to concussion problems.

AFL umpires coach Hayden Kennedy said yesterday the league’s whistleblowers were determined not to hand free kicks to players milking high tackles.

The AFL’s crackdown last year made it clear any player who ducks, raises their arm or drops at the knees in a tackle should not be rewarded.

He conceded Burton’s tackle started at Selwood’s bicep, but said it was almost impossible for umpires to decide on the starting point of tackles without the benefit of slowmotion. Selwood is one of several players including Toby McLean, Rhys Mathieson, Luke Shuey, Paul Puopolo, Anthony Miles and Dylan Grimes with a reputation for the ducking practice.

“I believe if we are actually fair dinkum about head injuries then we shouldn’t try to be providing extra protection for someone who contributes to the high contact,” a candid Clarkson said.

“All that is doing for me is encouraging more and more players to use that tactic.

“Joel’s had them himself. He’s going to keep playing like a bull in that sort of manner while he can continue to get those sorts of free kicks.”