'Just deplorable': AFL world divided over 'awful' new rule
The AFL world has had a look at the new 'stand on the mark' rule and plenty are up-in-arms over the 'ridiculous' nature it was used in a trial game.
A video surfaced on the weekend on social media of an Essendon trial game.
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The new rule was applied, which sees umpires tell players to 'stand' on the mark.
After this they cannot move off the mark and a teammate cannot replace them.
When the rule was initially announced, players were told they had a one metre leeway.
But fans witnessed the severity of the rule on the weekend and just how easily it can be breached, which will result in a 50m penalty.
The video circulating saw Darcy Parish lining up to take a kick after catching Kyle Langford in possession.
Parish lines up a kick near the centre circle and steps to his right to launch it downfield towards a teammate.
Here’s a taste of the new rule playing out pic.twitter.com/zHGB6zORvX
— Raw Rodd (@NotRodd) February 20, 2021
This prompts Langford to take a slight step to his left.
But the umpire calls the infringement and marches Parish 50m down field where he can line-up a shot.
AFL world divided over new 'stand' rule
Port Adelaide great Warren Tredrea labelled the rule 'a joke' after seeing the footage and how swiftly it can change momentum.
While former Collingwood Premiership winner Mick McGuane said the umpires had enough on their plates before this rule was introduced.
Many fans on social media were also against the 'awful' new rule agreeing it will take too much focus from the umpire.
What a joke https://t.co/xPkU5Mv7Is
— Warren Tredrea (@warrentredrea) February 23, 2021
Yuk. As if the umpires haven’t got enough on their plate. Watching if attacking player plays on, seeing if defenders get into protected area and watching if defender moves rather than STAND on the mark. #cantseeitall #whatdecisioncomesfirst https://t.co/HMIM838Xgy
— Michael McGuane (@MickMCG34) February 23, 2021
The man on the mark rule is going to be bad. The umpire will focus more on the men without the ball, than the man with it. Who played on first? Won't matter, the man on the mark moved and that's what the umpire saw, because that's all he was looking at.
— Damo (@DamoSC) February 23, 2021
Fans are going to hate this new “can’t move on the mark” rule. Especially if the kicker isn’t called to play on as soon as he moves sideways. https://t.co/OSTqm8vSCc
— Toby. (@Epigrammist) February 23, 2021
Just deplorable. This rule is Under 6 stuff.
— Samuel Power (@SamuelPower68) February 23, 2021
Just ridiculous
— Scott Mackay (@ESSMACKAY) February 23, 2021
it’s not too late to reverse this awful rule @AFL
— Dom Weber (@thisisdomweber) February 23, 2021
But not everyone was against the new rule.
Some said it would take weeks for the players to get used to the rule and it won't be so controversial.
I don’t really get the horror some have with this. The man on the mark clearly breaks the rule. We all knew it would take a couple weeks for players to completely get it but this isn’t a controversial incident https://t.co/8YzZ5kMvDU
— Josh Barnes (@Josh__Barnes) February 23, 2021
The AFL season starts on the 18th of March with the Richmond Tigers to host Carlton.
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