'Going to lose supporters': Wayne Carey's dire warning for AFL

Footy legend Wayne Carey has declared the AFL risks losing supporters over the burgeoning controversy surrounding free kicks for pushes and shoves.

Numerous incidents over the weekend put the rules and umpiring directives in the spotlight.

Hawthorn’s defeat to the Bulldogs led the way, with numerous AFL greats condemning a match-turning free kick paid against James Sicily late in the game and another against Jaeger O’Meara.

On Monday the AFL stood their ground on both frees, saying a fist was thrown by Sicily and O’Meara used a striking action to hit Jack Macrae.

Carey, however, has highlighted one big problem with the AFL’s attempt to rid the game of the niggle.

He says they’re targeting the wrong incidents, while potential free kicks will always be missed or ignored by certain umpires.

The North Melbourne great highlighted a throat-high strike by Brisbane’s Luke Hodge on North Melbourne rival Aaron Hall as one such clash.

“From a game to game, are we going to be sitting here talking about this all year? It’s ludicrous,” he told Channel 7’s Talking Footy.

Carey, who said he is not stuck in the 1990s and wants heavy blows rubbed out of the game, believes the AFL could see fans walk away if umpires are forced to continue paying Sicily-like free kicks.

“What are we playing? Tiddlywinks or Ring-a-Ring O’Rosie? It’s got to that point where this is embarrassing,” he said.

“I know all the players are confused, I’m confused, I know all the supporters are confused. And it’s a clear directive, obviously, before that game on the weekend for the umpires to be stronger on it.

“But if they’re going to pay those, they’re going to lose supporters.”

Essendon legend Tim Watson worries that players will learn quickly what can get an umpire’s attention.

“The other thing that’s going to be frightening out of all of this is the overreacting of a player when he is made contact with,” he said.

“We saw that with Macrae, the way he almost buckled under that hit from O’Meara. That’s going to become something – players are so smart.

“Every time they feel contact now, they’re going to overact and we’re going to introduce a whole new wave of acting to our game.”

Geelong coach Chris Scott said his club felt at ease over the rules thanks to the umpires’ explanations.

But he concedes “it’s a bit of an overcorrection” given Australian rules football is a contact sport.