AFL appears set to introduce the ‘Rampe rule’ to stop players from climbing goalposts in the future

The AFL appears set to tighten its rules to avoid future goalpost climbing issues after the week-long saga surrounding Dane Rampe’s bizarre antics against Essendon.

The AFL looks set to introduce ‘the Rampe rule’ for next season in a bid to shut down any repeat of last week’s goal-climbing fiasco.

Leading AFL umpire Ray Chamberlain said on Wednesday on Whateley on SEN that he’d “put the house” on administrators amending the laws of the game in immediate response to Sydney Swans co-captain Dane Rampe’s bizarre koala-climb antics at the SCG.

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The Daily Telegraph understands the AFL will make an amendment at season’s end to broaden its law covering the deliberate shaking of the goalpost, a rule originally written in direct response to a bizarre act from former Essendon star Dustin Fletcher in 2001.

A copycat climber might seem unlikely following the week-long saga, but the AFL is keen to close the door on any future prospect of a similar farce sneaking through the cracks in the law book.

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Dane Rampe climbs the goalpost against Essendon.

Rampe was involved in another controversy with an umpire during the same game. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Just like GWS star Toby Greene had a fly-kick rule enacted in his honour last season, it’s now Rampe’s turn for a somewhat infamous permanent reference in the law book of the game.

“I think if I had to put the house on it, we’ll see an amendment to the laws of the game,” Chamberlain told leading commentator Gerard Whately on Melbourne radio.

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“I don’t think (Rampe) intentionally shook the post. I don’t know what he was trying to do but I don’t think he was trying to shake the post because he would have shaken the bejesus out of it.

“He followed direct instruction from the umpire. The AFL said we don’t think we like that and took action (with a suspended fine), and I think there will be more action at the end of the year when we review the laws of the game.”

Jake Stringer and Cale Hooker appeal for a free kick after Rampe climbed the goalpost. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Fans were left confused by the episode when no free kick was awarded to Essendon following Rampe’s indiscretion and AFL boss Gillon McLachlan backed the umpire’s decision, yet a few days later Rampe was fined.

The question has remained unanswered over what would actually happen if another player in 2019 attempted to climb the post, but Chamberlain revealed that incredibly, a free kick would still likely not be paid in the same circumstance.

“The clear instruction is if you see a player climb the post, but not shaking the bejesus out of it, you would instruct that player to get off post and then if they fail to follow that instruction to get down you pay a free kick on the goal line,” he said on Whateley.

“And I’m certain that footy operations would have another meeting.”

Chamberlain watched the incident live on the Gold Coast preparing for his own match and admits he has no idea what he would have done in the same instance, given the current ambiguity in the rule.