New rules debated

Saints urge caution on scrapping warnings

AUSSIE RULES ST KILDA have urged the league to retain its warning for 6-6-6 violations despite a controversial infraction in the dying seconds of the side’s loss to North Melbourne.

But the Saints have joined the growing number of clubs asking for clarity from the league over the sliding rule that continues to be abused by players.

The league yesterday refused to make umpires boss Hayden Kennedy or football boss Steve Hocking available to discuss the growing confusion and rising number of free kicks.

But it is understood there will be no imminent change to the 6-6-6 protocols with the league happy with its early implementation.

The Saints had a seventh forward, Josh Battle, inside 50 at the last bounce of their fivepoint loss, but were able to reset because it was their first warning of the game.

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley said yesterday he would be in favour of the league immediately scrapping the warnings and paying free kicks for the first team infraction.

St Kilda football boss Simon Lethlean said players needed more time to adjust to the complexity of nine new rules before warnings were scrapped.

“Josh Battle went down into the forward line to round up the extra defender and then didn’t get back,” he said.

“It can be hard to see from ground level but you would hate to lose a game because of that free kick. The warning system works well. If clubs start taking the mickey, I guess you could eliminate the warnings, but I am not sure anyone is doing it deliberately.

“Maybe the AFL will give us until the bye and by then everyone should be well-adjusted.

“But players are given less information on the field; they are rotating using rotation boards. There is a bit going on in their heads so it would be good to have some grace for the time being.”

The league’s rules on forceful contact below the knees state the rule won’t be applied when a player is “already on the ground and then reaches out”.

Buckley said yesterday players tumbling over rivals already on the ground was a bad look for the game, and Lethlean agrees clarity is needed.

“It would be good to have clarity on that. Keep the rule in there to eliminate the dangerous stuff but have more common sense on players falling over because of their own momentum.”