The holding the ball interpretation has led to mass confusion across the board, but is it improving the game?
In the last week, coaches, players and the media have all lamented the change and the inconsistency across the board it has caused.
Tim Watson told SEN Breakfast on Monday: “I don’t think you can gloss over the utter confusion (the holding the ball rule is causing).”
Brisbane defender Alex Witherden told SEN’s Dwayne’s World: “I’ve never seen something as inconsistent as the holding the ball rule is at the moment.”
And Carlton coach David Teague after his side’s loss to West Coast on Sunday: “Our players are seeking a fair bit of clarity around (the holding the ball rule) at the moment.”
Despite clear frustration from all three sectors of the game – four if you include fans – the AFL is reportedly happy with the way the adjudication is being officiated according to a Fox Footy report.
Former AFL umpires boss Wayne Campbell believes the rule change has indeed had a positive impact on the quality of football.
“I think that’s pretty obvious isn’t it? We discussed that last week,” Campbell told SEN’s Bob and Andy.
“To my eye, it’s a better game now than what it was five weeks ago. It’s more open.
“Players are not catching the ball, they are trying to get rid of it at every possible opportunity and there’s still the (Sam Petrevski-Seton) ones where he can’t get rid of it.
“It’s just a better game to the eye … did we get to this result through the right mechanism, I don’t know. Has it added confusion to holding the ball? Absolutely.
“Without knowing, I think they (the AFL) would be pretty happy with it other than it’s caused some gnashing of the teeth with a few people.”
Since the introduction of the rule in Round 5, ball-ups around the ground are down one per game, but throw-ins are up one per game leading to a net zero gain there.