North Melbourne coach Brad Scott slams AFL ‘rule of the week’ memos
NORTH Melbourne coach Brad Scott says it is “ludicrous” for the AFL to continue to deny there is a “rule of the week”.
North Melb
Don't miss out on the headlines from North Melb. Followed categories will be added to My News.
NORTH Melbourne coach Brad Scott says it is “ludicrous” for the AFL to continue to deny there is a “rule of the week”.
Last weekend Docker Lee Spurr and Brisbane’s Pearce Hanley became the first two players this season to be penalised for a deliberate rushed behind, days after clubs received a memo from the league on the issue.
Asked at a press conference on Wednesday if he thought there was a “rule of the week”, Scott said: “I think it’s ridiculous to suggest there isn’t.
“There’s a memo that goes out which says, ‘This is what we’re focusing on’, so if you don’t want to call it rule of the week what would you call it?
“It happens a few times during the year. Earlier this year it was, ‘We’re really watching blocking in a marking contest’. So what happens? The blocking in a marking contest free kick count spikes by more than two-and-a-half.
“If you tell an umpire this is what we’re going to focus on, what do you think he’s looking at the marking contest?”
At least when you do get a memo you can put your life on it that they’re going to pay one.
- Brad Scott 
Scott said it was fairer to players to change rule interpretations at the end of the year.
“Is it unfair mid-season on players? They’re usually pretty adaptable to rule changes, certainly at the end of the season, but to suggest there wasn’t a crackdown on deliberate rushed behinds is just ludicrous.
“At least when you do get a memo you can put your life on it that they’re going to pay one.
“I just prefer the umpires coaches said ‘You know what we’re going to focus on this week? Just the rules’ and we’re going to judge every contest in isolation and if we see a free kick, that’s there were going to pay it. We’re not going to be looking for something specifically”
MORE TO COME
Originally published as North Melbourne coach Brad Scott slams AFL ‘rule of the week’ memos
Clarko’s swipe at Pies’ fixture ‘gifts’ as WA experiment ends for 2025
North Melbourne’s first year playing home games in Western Australia has come and gone, and Alastair Clarkson says while it may have cost them a win against the Dockers, it’s a necessary risk.
Surviving the ‘s***storm’: Shaw’s darkest days, Roo regrets
Rhyce Shaw calls himself a “footy sicko”. But there was a long period where he stopped loving the game which has shaped his family for decades. He opens up to Callum Dick.