AFL 2020: Essendon coach John Worsfold wanted clarity from umpires after six weeks of losing free-kick count

Essendon can’t win a free-kick count so coach John Worsfold had a meeting with the umpires and said he left “satisfied”, even around the holding-the-ball rule.

Bombers head coach John Worsfold is comfortable with the interpretation of the holding-the-ball rule. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Essendon coach John Worsfold exited a meeting with the AFL umpiring department last week “satisfied” he and his players were clear on rules around holding the ball.

On the back of frustration from his players, and supporters, the Bombers coach sought an explanation from the AFL.

Essendon has lost the free-kick count in each of its past six matches, giving away 28 more frees that it has received in that time, including a 26-19 count against the GWS in last Friday’s loss.

A controversial holding-the-ball decision against Essendon midfielder Andrew McGrath against Brisbane, when he was penalised after picking the footy up and wrestling for possession with the Lions’ Jarryd Lyons, also enraged AFL pundits.

Worsfold said he was “pretty clear” on rules around going for the footy and comfortable with the holding-the-ball interpretation.

“We’re pretty clear on rule about going for the ball, hopefully,” he said on Monday.

“We did talk to the umpiring department last week and not much has changed in terms of the rules and the interpretations since then. We’re comfortable we know where we sit in that regard.

“There was a bit of frustration from us and from our supporters around what seemed to be some free kicks going against us that people felt we were hard done by.

“Really just clarifying around how they are interpreting their decision making, which hasn’t changed from what I saw earlier in the year and what I saw last year as well.”

The holding-the-ball rule is back in the spotlight after horror decisions in Sunday’s game between Carlton and West Coast.

Blues coach David Teague said his players were “seeking a fair bit of clarity” around the umpires adjudicating the rules.

But Worsfold said he left his meeting with the umpires satisfied with how it was explained to him.

“Very satisfied,” he said.

“I’d be more satisfied if we ended up on the positive count, but that’s out of our control. We are just going to play.”

Jordan Ridley and his sore side. Picture: Matt Roberts/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

Worsfold confirmed forward Jacob Townsend would miss Wednesday’s clash with Gold Coast due to concussion.

But he was “really confident” defender Jordan Ridley would play after being forced to exit the loss to GWS last week early after taking a blow to his ribs.

He has all three ruckmen – Sam Draper, Tom Bellchambers and Andrew Phillips – available for selection and said injured players including Cale Hooker, Orazio Fantasia and Patrick Ambrose could be “pushing” for Sunday’s clash against St Kilda.

ESSENDON’S LAST SIX FREE KICK COUNTS

26-19 v GWS (L)

16-24 v Brisbane (L)

16-20 v Adelaide (W)

12-17 v Western Bulldogs (L)

18-20 v North Melbourne (W)

12-21 v Collingwood (W)

Originally published as AFL 2020: Essendon coach John Worsfold wanted clarity from umpires after six weeks of losing free-kick count