AFL to overhaul studs up free kick interpretation after furore from players and coaches

The AFL says the umpire got it right when he paid ‘studs up’ free kicks against Jack Riewoldt, but the interpretation that cost the Tigers forward has been binned a week out from finals.

Richmond’s Jack Riewoldt. Picture: Michael Klein

The free kicks paid against Jack Riewoldt have been backed by the AFL but will no longer be paid with the interpretation of the studs-up rule to be changed from this weekend.

The league — which debated the matter for hours on Monday — admitted that both free kicks given against Riewoldt, who umpires determined had used his boot studs illegally in marking contests against Eagle Tom Barrass, were paid correctly but no longer would be.

League football operations boss Steve Hocking said the rule was not brought in to penalise actions such as Riewoldt’s, but that the penalties against the Tiger were adjudicated correctly under the previous interpretation.

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“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,” he said.

“Although the two incidents from the Richmond v West Coast Eagles match 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.”

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The rule states that an umpire “shall award a free kick … when a player engages in rough conduct which includes … using boot studs in a manner likely to cause injury”.

Riewoldt was twice penalised for the action when marking in Sunday’s six-point victory over West Coast at the MCG, declaring “you’re joking!” to field umpire Jacob Mollison.

The rule is certain to be reviewed at the end of the season, but Richmond great Matthew Richardson wants swifter action.

“Complete farce,” he tweeted on Monday.

“Over-reaction to one incident. Change rule immediately.”

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Jack Riewoldt was penalised for this marking attempt. Picture: Michael Klein

Riewoldt said on Monday that he had been “pretty angry” in the wake of the first free kick.

“I just said (to Mollison) ‘you’ve got to have a bit of footy nous’,” he said on Nova.

“You’ve got to have a bit of an understanding of the game.

“My understanding was if the umpire deemed it to be a kick that would possibly cause injury … that was when they would pay a free kick.

“Now, I’ve sort of caught Tom Barrass with sort of my big toe, and his backside and they’ve paid a free kick for that.”

Brisbane coach Chris Fagan watched the match live and said he was surprised at the interpretation that he said could set a dangerous precedent.

“The first one I thought ‘what a great mark’, and I was pretty surprised that the umpire turned it the other way,” the Lions coach said on SEN.

The umpire explains the free kick to Riewoldt. Picture: Michael Klein

“I don’t think that was ever the intention of the rule. It just seemed so in context what he did and there was nothing venomous in the way that he used his foot. He just used it to climb up and take that great mark. I think that was an error.

“The umpire’s only trying to do the right thing and I’m not being critical of him, but I think if we’re going to start paying those, it’s not going to be good for our game.”

Former coach Rodney Eade said he believed the call to have been “against the spirit of the game”.

Surely common sense prevails in the studs up rule. 🤦🏼‍♂️

You’re allowed to protect space, understandably if it’s malicious & deliberately aimed at an opponent then blow the whistle...

— Mitch Robinson (@MitchRobinson05) August 18, 2019

The decision by the umpire that paid the kick out decision against Jack Riewoldt was just horrible. @AFL leave the game alone ! #afltigerseagles

— Brant Softley (@BigsofoBrant) August 18, 2019

All because of you Toby Greene.

— Dull Jack Riewoldt (@DullJackR8) August 18, 2019

Originally published as AFL to overhaul studs up free kick interpretation after furore from players and coaches