The AFL’s crackdown on umpire abuse is once again under a spotlight after a dubious 50m penalty awarded to Collingwood in its seven-point loss to Brisbane.
The incident occurred in the fourth quarter of Thursday night’s game when Lions defender Harris Andrews gave away a 50m penalty while standing on the mark as Collingwood’s Darcy Moore prepared to take a set shot.
Andrews was left perplexed as to why he’d been penalised, with the umpire, Andrew Stephens, indicating that it was because he’d extended his arms in a demonstrative manner.
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As part of the AFL’s crackdown on umpire abuse, officials have been empowered to penalise players who talk back to them regarding certain decisions.
However, this particular instance left players, commentators and fans confused.
“He was actually turning around to talk, and the umpire said you put your arms out,” former Brisbane player Luke Hodge said on commentary during Seven’s coverage.
“They brought it in for the first weekend of the pre-season games and the umpires were so hard on it, but then players have been able to get away week-in week-out.
“That looked like he just turned around to talk to the umpire, so if they’re gonna do it, they need to be firm on everyone.”
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Moore duly slotted the goal to cut Brisbane’s lead to 18 points with 15 minutes left on the clock, but despite a brave Magpies comeback effort, the Lions were able to hold on.
Questions over just how punitive the 50m penalty rule is has led to discussions over whether a 25m penalty should be brought in, with the number of 50m penalties awarded per match almost doubled through the first four completed rounds of the season, going from 1.6 per match to 2.8.
Legendary ex-Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy and AFL icon Leigh Matthews have backed the implementation of a new 25m penalty.
“We are not talking about the lack of discipline for a player because they deserve 50m if they abuse an umpire or hit an opponent,” Sheedy told the Herald Sun.
“But I don’t like it when they look at an umpire and its 50 metres.
“And the 50m penalties for breaking the stand rule … My god… and then the player runs off with the ball and the umpires don’t call play-on quick enough.
“If the player fakes a handball it’s got to be play-on. If a player moves a couple of steps it should be 25m and not 50m.
“One day it will decide a grand final… do we want that?”
“When I look at when a 50-metre penalty is paid, I think that’s a big penalty for a very small offence,” Matthews added on 3AW’s Sportsday. “But then I say, what’s the alternative?”
“So if we went to a 25-metre penalty for some (offences), it makes it a little bit harder for the umpires,” he added.
“Say we had a 50-metre penalty for certain offences, maybe a 25-metre penalty for other offences.
“Would the 25-metre penalty be sufficient deterrent to stop players testing that rule?”