AFL says it’s watching blocking but there isn’t a fresh crackdown on marking contests

JUST a day after Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson expressed his concerns over off-the-ball blocking to Gillon McLachlan the league has sent a memo to all clubs. But the AFL says there won’t be any fresh crackdown. SEE THE MEMOS

Gillon McLachlan had breakfast with Alastair Clarkson on Monday. Pic: Getty Images

AFL umpires will now back out of stoppages without warning players to help reduce the delay before throw-ups.

But the AFL says there is no fresh crackdown on blocking in marking contests, adamant its umpires have been paying free kicks for it all year.

The league has laughed off claims Gillon McLachlan’s breakfast with Alastair Clarkson influenced a monthly league memo reinforcing rules over blocking in marking contests.

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The league sent out its monthly memo to clubs on Tuesday as part of its commitment to explain to them its coaching points for umpires.

This month’s memo covering Rounds 5-8 was a direct replica of the Round 1-4 update, which reinforced umpires were watching blocking in marking contests.

It also contained the statistic that blocking in marking contests had risen 28 per cent in three years.

AFL boss Gillon McLachlan.

Alastair Clarkson wasn’t happy with some tactics from the Swans. Pic: AAP

A report has suggested the league had cracked down on blocking in marking contests.

But the AFL said its advice to umpires had not changed at all this year and would not change in future weeks.

A Round 1-4 memo seen by the Herald Sun contains extensive notes on blocking in marking contests.

It states umpires are looking for clues on players coming off their line to block, players using their arms in a shepherding motion, and players without eyes for the ball.

The AFL's memo to clubs for Rounds 1-4.

The league reasons players already know the umpire will backing directly out of a throw-up or bounce so don’t need a warning.

Over the weekend umpires were seen to throw the ball up more quickly, which helped lessen bigger packs around the ball.

But McLachlan told the Herald Sun he had met Clarkson at the Hawthorn coach’s request with no idea of the topic.

He said he had not spoken to AFL football boss Steve Hocking about the contents of his meeting, which on Monday became public.

Swan Dane Rampe knows how to use his body to advantage. Pic: Getty Images

The league has this year committed to informing clubs about game style trends each month as its game analysis group works on ways to ease congestion.

The new group consists of David Rath, James Podsiadly and Brett Munro, who are working on ways to keep the game flowing without dramatic rule changes.

McLachlan and Clarkson are close friends and often meet, with the Hawks premiership coach determined to get his point across about how the game is played and officiated.

It is understood McLachlan agreed to meet him on Sunday night after several Clarkson text messages.

When Clarkson began to present a series of video grabs about blocking over breakfast, McLachlan listened to his message.

The AFL's memo to clubs for Rounds 5-8.

But Hocking and his new team have been separately working on how to minimise blocking in marking contests, believing it has crept into the game and stopped players flying for marks.

The AFL’s determination to stop defenders chopping the arms of forwards has meant defenders have got craftier as they attempt to stop goals.

Many including Sydney’s Dane Rampe, St Kilda’s Nathan Brown, Essendon’s Cale Hooker and Richmond’s David Astbury are masters at tactics such as pushing players under the ball with their body weight.

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Originally published as AFL says it’s watching blocking but there isn’t a fresh crackdown on marking contests