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'Have some common sense': Controversy over Jack Riewoldt 'studs up' free kicks

Chris Young
·Sports Reporter

Two marking contests by Richmond’s Jack Riewoldt have left AFL fans fuming, after the Tigers forward was twice penalised for having his studs up as he jumped for the ball against the West Coast Eagles.

Riewoldt could hardly contain his frustration with the field umpire when both contests were whistled, while coach Damien Hardwick was similarly frustrated.

The first came early in the second quarter, while a similar free kick was paid against Riewoldt in the dying minutes of the final quarter, when the Tigers were clinging to a narrow one goal lead.

The Tigers had the last laugh when Riewoldt booted the match-winning goal in the final minutes of the game, but that didn’t stop several prominent former players to express frustration of their own over the ruling.

Jack Riewoldt, pictured in a marking contest against the Eagles, was penalised for having his studs up twice.
Richmond's Jack Riewoldt twice had free kicks paid against him for having his studs up in a marking contest against the West Coast Eagles on Sunday. Picture: Fox Footy

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire said the two decisions were not what the rule was brought in to prevent.

“I was in the meeting when they came up with this rule and that's not what it was designed for," McGuire said during his commentary duties for Fox Footy.

Hardwick made his frustration clear when speaking to media after the game, imploring the league and umpires to ‘have some common sense’ when applying the rule.

The premiership-winning coach said the rule was brought in to prevent players from kicking another in the head, but questioned whether it was necessary at all.

Less rules for umpires: Hardwick

“I don’t think that’s why the rule was brought in for,” Hardwick said.

“If you don’t want high marks in the game, c’mon. I don’t think it’s a good rule personally.

“At the end of the day, the rule was brought in for the guy that kicks the guy in the head,” he said.

“The last time I looked, that player’s head wasn’t on his hamstring. Have some common sense.

“I didn’t know why we needed the rule in the first place to be honest, we seem to have a very reactive nature at stages.

“The game of AFL is so tough on these blokes. Don’t give them so many rules.”

Many fans and other footy experts took to social media to vent their frustration over the calls, with some labelling them ‘horrible’ and ‘disgusting’.