Collingwood great Nathan Buckley takes a swipe at AFL over rule tweak

AFL umpires were under intense scrutiny on Thursday night and a footy great couldn’t resist a sarcastic swipe at a rule change.

Collingwood great Nathan Buckley has weighed into the AFL’s tweak of a contentious rule during Carlton’s impressive win over Port Adelaide on Thursday night.

With fans and pundits alike tearing their hair out in recent weeks over the umpires’ interpretation of the holding the ball rule, the AFL wrote to all 18 clubs on Monday to offer clarity over “reasonable time” to dispose of the footy.

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“Our umpires are clear on the interpretation of holding the ball and it continues to be a focus of umpire coaching each week,” the AFL stated.

“We want to ensure our clubs, coaches and players understand the rules and how they are being officiated.”

Whether the umpires were clear before or after the league directive, there was a marked change during the Blues’ 16.11 (107) to 10.11 (71) victory that launched Carlton into the top four and raised serious queries over the Power.

The umpiring of the rule had become as clear as mud, with movements such as a player turning 360-degrees when in possession often failing to be pinged this season, where that had long been accepted as an instant holding the ball penalty.

But there was a noticeable difference in approach on Thursday night.

Nathan Buckley and AFL umpire Nick Foot. Photos: Getty Images/Michael Klein

Midway through the opening term, Carlton’s Charlie Curnow took possession and then had one arm held by Port defender Aliir Aliir.

Curnow fell to the ground and turned before belatedly throwing the Sherrin at his boot, with the umpire quickly blowing for holding the ball.

“Should be holding the ball and is,” James Brayshaw said in commentary.

“So there we go, a little indication there, arm held, quick whistle, free kick Aliir.”

Alister Nicholson added: “There’s our first little insight into how the rule change has come into effect.”

One person watching intently was former Collingwood skipper and coach Buckley, who fired off a tweet on X dripping with sarcasm.

“Who would have thought that forcing the ball carrier to make quicker decisions would result in a more up tempo, open game of footy?” he wrote.‍️

“Great adjustment.”

Buckley (second left) has been part of the media since his coaching stint at Collingwood ended in 2021. Picture: Alex Coppel.

There were a series of quicker whistles during the game as the umpires carried out the instruction from AFL HQ.

Early in the final term, as you can see in the video player above, Sam Walsh grabbed a loose footy after a ball up and was quickly wrapped up by two Port players, with the umpire again swiftly paying the free kick.

In this instance, Walsh had zero prior opportunity to dispose of the ball, but the decision negated another stoppage and allowed play to continue far quicker.

“That’ll be ball,” Dale Thomas said.

“It’s going to be,” Brayshaw added.

“Is that the way you would like to see holding the ball adjudicated?” Nicholson asked Joel Selwood.

“You’ve just got to look to make an attempt from there,” the Geelong great replied.

“So even just throwing your boot at it, give it a chance.”

Later in the game, Buckley again took to the social media platform with another take.

“And kudos to the field umpires tonight,” he wrote.

“Nick Foot, Matt Stevic, Jamie Broadbent and Craig Fleer have executed brilliantly.

“An interpretation change is one thing but it still needs to be put in (to) practice….great work.”

While Port coach Ken Hinkley said in his post-match press conference he hadn’t noticed a change from the umpires, Carlton superstar Walsh did feel a difference in the middle.

Walsh, who dominated with 33 possessions, 13 tackles and eight clearances, was asked about the umpires on Fox Footy following the crucial six-goal win for his side.

“I had to bite my tongue on one or two of them that I got pinged for,” he said.

“No it was pretty good, I feel like they were a bit quicker with the whistle tonight.

“But for us as midfielders, we want to drive through a tackle and get numbers over to support.

“If you drive well and give that first option, it’s still well adjudicated. It’s sometimes different out there, it moves pretty quick.”

Buckley’s tweets sparked a flood of comments, with a number supporting his take that the new approach improved the spectacle.

Umpire Matt Stevic was also praised by the Collingwood great. Photo: Michael Klein

One wrote: “Agree, has been really well officiated too this game. People complaining just will never be satisfied.”

Another stated: “People in the stands have been calling for this forever!! Great move for everyone.”

A third wrote: “Hopefully it lasts more than half a round!”

That last comment alludes to the fact that historically, AFL rule changes tend to only last a few weeks before old habits resurface.

Of course, there were a number that strongly disagreed with Buckley’s sentiment.

“Did you not see the last two blatantly missed HTB calls?” one asked.

“Are you actually watching the game??? Was at least 3-4 not paid Carlton’s way in that last 10 mins...umpiring has been s**t,” wrote a Carlton fan.

“Big yikes Bucks. It’s been as inconsistent as ever,” was another comment.

And then another Carlton fan couldn’t resist wheeling out: “Go to bed, Bucks. You’re drunk.”

Originally published as Collingwood great Nathan Buckley takes a swipe at AFL over rule tweak