AFL news 2022: Coaching great Kevin Sheedy says the game needs a 25m penalty

Player dissent, wasting time and the stand-rule have seen 50m penalties almost double this season. Does the punishment fit the crime though?

AFL great Kevin Sheedy says 50m penalties are killing the game and is advocating the introduction of a 25m penalty as a matter of urgency.

Player dissent, wasting time and stand-rule penalties has seen 50m penalties almost double this season compared to last season.

Sheedy, whose time wasting tactics used by Essendon in the mid 1980s helped introduce the 50m penalty, has reiterated his call to introduce the 25m penalty.

He said the 50m penalty imposed on players was grossly out of whack against the crime committed.

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Western Bulldogs midfielder Bailey Smith gives away a 50m penalty in the Dogs loss to Richmond. Photo by Michael Klein

“It’s like getting a $500 parking fine for being two minutes over the hour in a car park,’’ Sheedy said.

“It’s ridiculous. It’s overkill and you’re killing the spirit of the fan.

“I’m not telling the AFL how to do their job, I’m just saying listen to the people and I know the people hate 50m penalties.

“How good are the fans to sit there and put up with it.

“The AFL has to look at themselves. They’ve got to be better.

“Crowds are down and of course they will put that down to the pandemic. Everything’s the pandemic’s fault.’’

The AFL introduced the 50m penalty in 1988.

Sheedy said the 25m penalty had been successfully used in the South Australian National Football League.

“We are not talking about the lack of discipline for a player because they deserve 50m if they abuse an umpire or hit an opponent,’’ Sheedy said.

“But I don’t like it when they look at an umpire and its 50 metres.

“And the 50m penalties for breaking the stand rule … My God… and then the player runs off with the ball and the umpires don’t call play-on quick enough.

There’s been an average of 2.8 50m penalties per match so far this season while there was 1.6 last season.

“If the player fakes a handball it’s got to be play-on.

“If a player moves a couple of steps it should be 25m and not 50m.

“One day it will decide a Grand Final … do we want that?’’

Sheedy said 50m penalties were his No.1 hate in football followed by the coaching move that sees a player kick a goal and run straight from the ground.

“It happened with that young fella from Fremantle, (Nathan) O’Driscoll … what’s that all about?’’

Originally published as AFL news 2022: Coaching great Kevin Sheedy says the game needs a 25m penalty