Melbourne coach Paul Roos says players penalised for deliberate rushed behinds were really stiff

MELBOURNE coach Paul Roos says the two players penalised for deliberate rushed behinds were “really stiff” amid a midyear crackdown on the rule.

MELBOURNE coach Paul Roos says the two players penalised for deliberate rushed behinds were “really stiff” amid a midyear crackdown on the rule.

Fremantle’s Lee Spurr was penalised on Saturday night for a soccered point from 15m and yesterday Brisbane’s Pearce Hanley gave up a goal for retreating over the line at the MCG.

They were the first two deliberate rushed behinds called this season.

Confusion on the rule and its interpretation was apparent among coaches on Sunday.

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick initially backed the crackdown but sought to clarify comments while Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley said he had “no idea” how the rule could be officiated consistently.

Ross Lyon after the loss to Richmond. Picture: AAP

On Saturday Fremantle coach Ross Lyon spoke of umpires interpreting “pressure” on the offending player, though the rule makes no mention of that word.

Roos said he had always been told by the AFL there was no “rule of the week” and that both players were unfairly penalised.

“I don’t know whether I did (get the memo). I thought we were going to look at it at the end of the year. I was confused,’’ he said.

“I thought they were really stiff. We saw one last night, I don’t like it, to be honest.

Nathan Jones appeals for a deliberate behind. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

“Maybe I missed the memo. I don’t think you can make changes like that in the season. Maybe if it’s obvious and a bloke gets it and kicks it through.

“I don’t like it, but maybe that’s just me. That is what we have been told in the last 10 years, there is never a rule of the week.”

Rule 15.7.1 orders a free kick to be paid against a player who intentionally puts the ball over the attacking team’s goal or behind line.

“In assessing whether a free kick should be awarded under this rule the field umpire shall give the benefit of the doubt to the defender,” it continues.

AFL football operations boss Mark Evans sent a memo to clubs last week warning them that umpires would be on the lookout.

Nathan Buckley talking to Steele Sidebottom and Mason Cox after the win over Geelong. Picture: Getty

Buckley said he believed the intent was correct, but admitted he had “no idea” how it was supposed to work consistently.

“There is a lot of grey in this game and each of the three umpires will have slightly different interpretations of what that looks like,” Buckley told 3AW.

“We had (Corey) Enright rush one ... from about 10m and it was quite deliberate, but I don’t know exactly where the grey starts and finishes with that one.”

Hardwick, who did see the memo from the AFL, initially said he was “all for” the move before expressing some reservation.

“The interpretation is always going to be a bit vague. If you kick or handball the ball though, maybe that’s easier (to penalise),” Hardwick said.

“I don’t mind it, but ask me when the shoe was on the other foot and it might be a little bit different.

“We saw the memo during the week and we thought there might be a few (called).”

Dockers coach Ross Lyon called the Spurr decision “controversial”.

“I think it’s a simple interpretation. The umpire would interpret there wasn’t enough pressure on you to do that and maybe it was right,” Lyon said.

“But in the conditions and all that ... but it’s neither here nor there really. It doesn’t occupy my thinking.”