Eagles’ free-kick count in spotlight

THE AFL says it is taking steps to investigate the reasons behind West Coast’s “noise of affirmation” as the Eagles’ freekick domination continues.

West Coast has won the free kick count in 61 of its past 73 home games against interstate opponents, including seven of eight Perth Stadium games.

AFL umpires coach Hayden Kennedy yesterday confirmed the league was investigating the trends behind the persistent pattern.

Kennedy said that while single-game free kick counts were irrelevant, the league’s umpires and game analysis team were mystified by the long-running trend.

Former AFL umpires boss Peter Schwab recently said the noise of affirmation was real — umpires convinced to pay what they suspected was a free kick when the home crowd roared.

The AFL has broken down the type of free kicks the Eagles receive at home and analysed their game style for patterns.

But Fremantle plays in front of similar crowds and is only +15 for free kicks at home games this year, while Richmond has a horrible free kick record at the MCG.

One theory is that West Coast has such powerful marking forwards in Jeremy McGovern, Jack Darling and Josh Kennedy that opponents often infringe to curtail them.

Another is that West Coast is an extremely disciplined tackling side — and often corrals opponents instead of tackling — but is adept at winning head-high frees.

Kennedy said the AFL had still not got to the bottom of the discrepancy given Richmond’s MCG crowd noise is incredible yet it often loses the free-kick count.

“West Coast and Fremantle have the same crowd and different results in regard to hometown free kicks,” he said.

“We are certainly aware of it and the emphasis is on umpires over there to get into the zone. Pay free kicks according to what you see each and every week. If it so happens to be the numbers are different, then so be it.”