‘Ridiculous’: Storm erupts over AFL rule timebomb

Footy greats have called for change with Nathan Buckley exposing the AFL’s biggest issue that has “gone too far” ahead of the 2024 season.

The AFL’s most divisive issue looks more confusing than ever after a bump on Thursday night left AFL greats without answers.

Brisbane’s Darcy Wilmot was pinged for a free kick during the Lions’ win over the Swans in Sydney — and it has further exposed the fact the issue of competing for a loose ball on the ground will be a timebomb during the 2024 season.

Wilmot looked perplexed when the umpire awarded a free kick after he and Sydney’s Will Hayward cannoned in from opposite directions.

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Wilmot appeared to do everything players have been told to do in recent years by turning his body side on — and even got to the ball first.

However, it was Hayward that came off worse as a result of the collision and his head snapped back.

Jonathan Brown said immediately on Fox Footy it should not have been a free kick.

“It’s a really difficult one here. Darcy Wilmot is committed to the football. And the other thing is he actually got to the ball first,” Brown said.

Darcy Wilmot even got to the ball first. Photo: Fox Footy.

Darcy Wilmot was stunned he's been pinged. Photo: Fox Sports.

“It shouldn’t have been a free kick. We know the focus and you’re better off playing the free kick, especially at this stage of the season. But it’s a really challenging one for the players.

“They’re obviously very aware of it after the (Sam) Powell-Pepper situation yesterday.

“They’re aware that the AFL are going to be all over it. But you’ve still got to be allowed to compete for the footy.”

He went on to say: “I think that’s unavoidable. It’s a football incident”.

Collingwood legend Nathan Buckley said the trend of players leading with their head has got out of control.

“He could have nearly picked that up and ran off with it, but it still would have been a free kick,” Buckley said.

“In the last 10 years players lead with their heads for a ground level ball more than they did before that. You used to be coached to go in on your side. Danny Frawley used to say, ‘Don’t put your head where your backside can fit’.

Will Hayward's head snapped back. Photo: Fox Footy.

“It hasn’t been coached as much because you don’t want to collect an opposition player in the head. So you’re actually risking your own health and safety a bit more. It’s gone too far that way.”

Fox Footy’s David King also told SEN on Friday Wilmot did everything right.

“Make the change and disincentivise players leading with the head. The call here (should be) play on, so you make it easier for the umpire,” King said.

“If you deem that Darcy Wilmot has come in too aggressively and gone outside the laws then he can get reported by the MRO and serve his time… but in this instance, I don’t think he has, it’s just poor technique from Hayward.”

Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes was also supportive of Wilmot.

“I’m wondering whether Wilmot gets suspended for this, which is just ridiculous if you look at it because he has bumped Hayward, who, by the definition of it, has his head over the ball and vulnerable,” he said.

“But Wilmot has done what we’ve all been taught since the age of five.”

Meanwhile, the bigger issue for the Swans is an injury to Taylor Adams.

Taylor Adams during the AFL pre season. Photo: Phil Hillyard.

Adams was ruled out of the remainder of the match shortly after, with the Swans labelling it a “mild medial ligament strain”.

The good news is the club says it is only a mild medial ligament sprain, with his withdrawal from the game precautionary.

Another bit of good news comes from someone who knows him well, that being former coach Buckley.

“I’ve seen Tay disappointed, that’s not disappointed,” Buckley said in commentary.

“If it was a soft tissue he’d be super frustrated, but it looks like there’s something not right and check it out.”