AFL could review contact below the knees rule after controversial Angus Brayshaw incident

TWO decisions during Melbourne’s semi-final win over Hawthorn had fans and AFL greats up in arms. And after the outcry, the League hasn’t ruled out a review of the controversial contact below the knees rule.

Melbourne's Angus Brayshaw collides with Hawthorn's Shaun Burgoyne. Pic: Michael Klein

THE AFL has not ruled out a review of the controversial contact below the knees rule after one league Hall of Fame member labelled it a “bloody disgrace” on Friday night.

Melbourne was penalised twice under the rule during its semi-final against Hawthorn in decisions that raised the ire of fans.

In one incident Angus Brayshaw was pinged for reaching for the ball while on his knees when Hawk Shaun Burgoyne came in over the top.

CRUCIAL: GAWN’S KEY DECISION TO IGNORE RUNNER

VFL: DEMONS ADVANCE TO GRAND FINAL

Teammate Jordan Lewis was on the wrong end of a similar decision after he got hands on the ground ball before Jack Gunston fell over it.

Port Adelaide great Warren Tredrea wrote on Twitter that the rule was “a bloody disgrace”, adding “you are allowed to win the ball”.

Sliding rule a bloody disgrace. You are allowed to win the ball.

— Warren Tredrea (@warrentredrea) September 14, 2018

North Melbourne legend Wayne Carey said on the broadcast the decisions were “two shockers”, while Collingwood premiership player Mick McGuane was also not a fan.

“Reward the courageous and proactive not the reactive and those that sweat. Just not football,” McGuane tweeted.

However, in response, the AFL noted Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin said after the match he believed the rule had “been applied the same way the whole year”.

“Our umpiring review as normal will be completed on Monday,” league spokesman Patrick Keane said.

Melbourne's Angus Brayshaw was penalised over this incident with Hawthorn's Shaun Burgoyne. Picture. Phil Hillyard

AFL football operations boss Steve Hocking has spoken of his desire to slash the size of the current rule book by about half and increasing “consistency of application” in how rules are applied, with proposed changes set for approval next month.

Asked if the contact below the knees rule would be looked at as part of that review, Keane said, “Once the Commission has their meeting, you’ll know the recommendations that come out of it.”

AFL match review officer Michael Christian completed his review of Friday night’s game yesterday, with no charges laid.

Reward the courageous and proactive not the reactive and those that sweat. Just not football #belowtheknees

— Michael McGuane (@MickMCG34) September 14, 2018

Originally published as AFL could review contact below the knees rule after controversial Angus Brayshaw incident