AFL ticks off free kick against Jeremy Howe for his mark over Tom McDonald

Footy greats fear for the future of the ‘speccie’ after the AFL controversially ticked off the contentious ‘studs up’ free kick paid against Collingwood high-flyer Jeremy Howe. VOTE NOW

Collingwood's Jeremy Howe takes a mark over Melbourne's Tom McDonald. This was judged to be a free kick for McDonald.

Footy greats fear for the future of the “speccie” after the AFL controversially ticked-off the contentious “studs-up” free kick paid against Collingwood high-flyer Jeremy Howe on Monday.

However, the rule is almost certain to be reviewed and potentially rewritten to help preserve one of the most brilliant and unique aspects of the game at season’s end.

WATCH THE INCIDENT ABOVE

The league yesterday backed the decision to award Melbourne’s Tom McDonald a free kick after Howe put his foot in the middle of the Demon’s back to reel in another spectacular high mark in the first term on Queen’s Birthday.

It violated rough conduct rule 17.7.2 (d) “using boot studs in a manner likely to cause injury”.

The decision triggered outcry across the league, with former champion players saying the rule interpretation threatened one of the most exciting skills in the game.

“RIP high marking,” said Richmond great Matthew Richardson said.

North Melbourne champion Wayne Carey added: “It wasn’t dangerous in any way. (Tom) McDonald might get a paper cut”.

Collingwood and Richmond spearhead Brian Taylor said: “If you take that out, you’re taking one of the great components of Australian rules football out of the game.”

Former Hawthorn sharpshooter Ben Dixon added: “It is a joke, it is an embarrassment. That wasn’t dangerous” while Richmond’s Jack Riewoldt said: “I would be absolutely genuinely filthy if that was paid against me.”

The league brought in the new rule at the end of last season to make a stand against players lifting their boots into the faces of opposition players.

Greater Western Sydney forward Toby Greene has caused angst with his dangerous marking technique in recent seasons.

But Western Bulldogs’ great Luke Darcy said Howe’s mark was different as he stuck his foot into the back of Tom McDonald.

Would this famous Kevin Sheedy mark in the 1974 Grand Final be allowed under the new rule?

McDonald was uninjured in the contest, but umpire Alex Whetton blew his whistle on the spot.

Darcy said the high mark should be encouraged, not jeopardised.

“They’re going to lose part of the game that is the most unique and brilliant part of the game,” Darcy said.

BT compares the Howe mark to Toby Greene's against the Bulldogs.#AFLPiesDees pic.twitter.com/pxBuxwi7UU

— 7AFL (@7AFL) June 10, 2019

“For once at AFL House, put your hand up and say ‘No, that isn’t why we’ve got that rule’.

“We need to try and protect that (high marking) in the game.”

The league confirmed yesterday the rule would be reviewed in-line with all others at the end of the year.

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley said clubs needed clarity on the rule immediately.

Buckley said Howe should not have been penalised as the mark clearly “wasn’t going to cause serious injury”.

“I, as many others, will wait with bated breath to see whether the AFL actually thinks that that is acceptable or not, which is all we want to know so that we can coach around it,” Buckley said.

“If the AFL comes out and says they are comfortable with that being a free kick, we just need to know why, and if it’s in the same circumstance next week, that it is going to be definitely paid a free-kick for these reasons.

“Or, no, we don’t think that that was going to cause injury and therefore, to the letter of the law it’s not a free kick.”

THE RULE

17.7.2 Free Kicks - Rough Conduct

A field Umpire shall award a Free Kick against a Player when that Player

engages in rough conduct against an opposition Player which in the

circumstances is unreasonable, which includes but is not limited to:

(a) executing a dangerous tackle on an opposition Player;

(b) making forceful contact below the knees of an opposition Player

or executing a forceful action towards the lower leg of an opposition

Player, causing the opposition Player to take evasive action;

(c) sliding knees or feet first into an opposition Player;

(d) using boot studs in a manner likely to cause injury.

R.I.P high marking #AFLPiesDees

— Matthew Richardson (@mattricho0) June 10, 2019

Lets ban the high mark 🤦🏼‍♂️ #AFLPiesDees

— Kane Cornes (@kanecornes) June 10, 2019

Jeremy Howe @CollingwoodFC takes a hanger. Umpire says “spikes up.” The world has gone mad. No feel for the game. #AFLPiesDees

— Michael McGuane (@MickMCG34) June 10, 2019