Umps fiddle with ‘deliberate’ interpretation

THE AFL says it was too hot on deliberate-out-of-bounds calls at the weekend, with three free kicks incorrectly paid across the round.

And the league will launch an investigation into the signage that left two Geelong players badly bloodied after crashing into the boundary line fence at Perth Stadium on Sunday.

League operations boss Steve Hocking said the contentious deliberate-out-ofbounds calls paid against Port’s Sam Powell Pepper, Lion Mitch Robinson and young Cat Jack Henry were all too harsh.

The score review system will also come under the microscope this week after one of the operators pushed the wrong button, initially incorrectly awarding Richmond a goal.

Hocking said the score reviews were also taking too long, making it “frustrating” for players and fans.

To improve the deliberateout-of-bounds calls, Hocking said clubs and umpires would be reminded about the “insufficient intent” rule this week.

“Not loosened off, it’s more just getting it right, that’s the important thing,” Hocking said.

“The rule is to keep the ball in play and that’s something we are seeing in the game … it’s exciting football.

“So, there is a reason why it has been introduced, but what we have got to do is adjudicate and officiate it better than what we did at the weekend.”

The Henry decision was costly as it led to a Mark LeCras goal late in West Coast’s narrow win over the Cats.