'Effective immediately': AFL makes 'common sense' rule change
The AFL will review its so-called Toby Greene rule after Richmond star Jack Riewoldt gave up two controversial free kicks in the win over West Coast.
The Tigers key forward was livid on Sunday when the frees were paid against him, because his boot studs had made contact with an opponent in a marking contest.
The league cracked down on boot studs because of Greene, after the GWS star had raised his leg and used the sole of his boot at times to ward off opponents.
Does the 'studs up' rule have a place in our game?
Watch round 22's Access All Areas here: https://t.co/hzK7YrUtGb pic.twitter.com/SjkS3C4zXj— AFL.com.au (@AFLcomau) August 19, 2019
"The studs up rule was brought in to ensure players did not employ their studs in marking contests in a manner likely to cause injury," AFL football operations manager Steve Hocking said in a statement..
"Although the two incidents ... were adjudicated according to the current interpretation, the AFL acknowledges there is a need to adjust the interpretation of rough conduct free kicks relating to the use of studs in marking contests and will make this change effective immediately."
Fans have applauded the decision to amend a rule many supporters insisted was "ruining the game".
Some common sense coming out of AFL House tonight...😮#AFLTigersEagles #studsup #gotiges @AFL pic.twitter.com/OuDhaOvM30
— Kitt 🐯 (@kitty_flamingo) August 19, 2019
Great work @AFL getting rid of the ‘studs up’ rule. Always sounded like a soccer rule and doesn’t have a place in our game. However a deliberate stud to the face needs to be reportable #creditwherecreditisdue #afl
— Brett Henderson (@hendos) August 19, 2019
Yaaaa! Gil woke up to himself..studs rule to go...sanity prevails!. #afl @mattricho0 @Finstaaaaaaa @SENBreakfast @RealFreeBrowny #aflgrewsomesanity pic.twitter.com/UtmNaH40Pv
— Josh hall (@Joshhall_alb) August 19, 2019
Good on the AFL for ditching the studs up marking rule. I’m not going to find a reason to get angry about that. Just good on them.
— Glenn Peters (@nightwatchman) August 19, 2019
For people saying these studs up decisions in marking contests like @JackRiewoldt08 ones today are correct.....you have absolutely no understanding of our game. Ridiculous interpretation. Ruining the game.
— Matthew Richardson (@mattricho0) August 18, 2019
Earlier on Monday, Richmond football manager Neil Balme made his displeasure clear.
"I don't know why they did it in the first place," he said of the rule change.
"If someone kicks someone in the face with their studs, I reckon that's pretty obvious. If someone goes for a mark that's also pretty obvious, but sometimes we over-officiate, don't we.
"I think we're all a little bit put off by the fact that he (Riewoldt) certainly wasn't trying to hurt him and there was no problem with it.
"But the rule says studs up, it's a free against - it doesn't make any sense to me at all."