so now we tunnell

[DeadlyAkkuret]

At the ground I said to DrJ when it happened that we were lucky Bolton didn't get pinged. We were exactly side on, albeit the other side of the ground.

I'm not suggesting it was on purpose, but a free wouldn't have surprised me at all. No real surprise anytime Riewoldt gets a soft free I know, but I doubt the suggestion deserves a

It deserves multiple 's, I was being kind. That happens every week, and there's almost no way of proving whether or not it's intentional, or if there was any malice involved.

On both occasions it appeared quite harmless, nothing more than a body on body marking contest. Unless Bolton is running in from 20 metres away and deliberately sweeping Riewoldt's feet out from under him, I don't see it as an issue.

[DeadlyAkkuret]

Doesn't really matter whether it is intentional. If a player is legitimately going for a realistic marking attempt and the opponent tunnels him by taking his legs out from under him, then this is a free kick in exactly the same way as if the opponent had pushed him out.

Like I said, it seemed like simple body on body to me. If that gets ruled out, then God help us all.

[satchmopugdog]

Im not sure about this I remember watching the replay on both occasions and I thought Bolton had purposely upended Riewoldt both times.

Cheers

Waz

At the game I was thinking "That doesn't look good" and thought we got away with something but I was not sure what, so I just shrugged my shoulders and thought that almost makes up for Barry Hall having his head nearly ripped off.

Didn't think it was as bad as tunneling is said to be in basketball.

[giant]

Having seen the replays again now, while I don't think it was deliberate, I do think it's something that Bolton would be better taking out of his repertoire.

[DeadlyAkkuret]

Body on body is already a free kick if done incorrectly.

Exactly, and I don't think there's anything incorrect about it. It's very precious, but I'm sure we'll be investigated.

[Chow-Chicker]

There is a general principle - not sure if, or how, it's codified in the rule book - that you can't interfere with someone in a marking contest. Incidental contact is OK if you're genuinely competing for the ball as well.

The problem I have with the two youtube incidents is that I don't see what Bolton's options were. In the first one he might have been able to make less contact with his arm to Riewoldt's legs, but given how quickly it all happens in real life, to suggest he deliberately hit Riewoldt's legs is stretching things. He was already running in that direction and would have found it hard to stop.

The second incident I can't see much more than a highly optimistic - some might say unrealistic (except that Riewoldt does sometimes pull them off) attempt to mark a ball that was going way over the pair of them. Yes, Bolton was keeping close behind Riewoldt to make sure the ball went over their heads. But I can't see how it is his doing that Riewoldt decided to jump over him.

It's an interesting one. Glenn Archer admitted to "tunneling" on FC when he played. He recognised he didn't have the height to competed against the Richardson's etc and decided to "push them under the ball" in similar vein to Bolton.

No doubt they will clamp down on this tactic.

[Wazza]

It deserves multiple 's, I was being kind. That happens every week, and there's almost no way of proving whether or not it's intentional, or if there was any malice involved.

On both occasions it appeared quite harmless, nothing more than a body on body marking contest. Unless Bolton is running in from 20 metres away and deliberately sweeping Riewoldt's feet out from under him, I don't see it as an issue.

Well yourve missed the point, this tactic has been around for years, its about how to respond with your body when someone is coming over the top off you. Its not about running in form 20 mtrs away and sweeping some ones feet away - WHAThe

There is no manageable rule against it but Im sure the AFL will continue to monitor this tactic, as someone else mentioned its a fav ploy for a defender who may be giving away inches on his opposition player.

Cheers

Waz

[JF_Bay22_SCG]

Poor old reiwoldt couldnt get his hair messed up... from what Ive seen on Youtube from the footage its just trash talk. Why dont they all just campaign to have Sydney kicked out of the league. All that is wrong with the game is our fault.... you heard it here first!

The bitterness of the 2005 Prelim final has obviously lingered for some of those at Moorabbin.

And when do the Proclaimers need their lead singer back? The Saints CEO should be back in Glasgow eating haggis & playing with his fluffy sporon rather than bitching on TV about poor widdle Nickie.

JF

[DeadlyAkkuret]

Bolton?

Am I going blind, or is that Jude?

[connolly]

Stand by for another of Anderson's ridiculous rule changes. Why not just make it illegal for a defender to touch a forward as in netball?

[satchmopugdog]

Bolton?

Am I going blind, or is that Jude?

Good boy...you are not going blind.

[ScottH]

Saints Whinge, I mean, lodge complaint.

Maybe they should look at their midfielders and question why they are not hitting him on the chest.

[lwjoyner]

pretty boys get the frees

Here we go again, not enough frees given to the "pretty boys" of the AFL Reiwolt and LLoyd. Poor old Barry Hall and Matthew Richardson, if you go for the ball hard you get penalized. Barry Hall does not get a fair go. Fair enough he gives away a lot of frees but by the same token he is a victim of a lot but he isnt "pretty" to get the frees like the other 2 do.

[Rod_]

Well I guess that when SOS (save own skin Silvagni) and Rossy Lyon's were as assistant / specialist coachs, they must have taught Craig Bolton and LRT something....! How to upset Saints forwards. Cry Babys! Shouldn't give away secrets!

I was taught to keep my feet on the ground, be the first to recover and keep your eye on the ball.

If the shop pony wants to jump into the backmans back - where is their free kick?

What about the famous duck during marking contest. Where the fly boy tries to get a free ride, duck by the backman ..... Fly boy floats over the top no boost and splat Not enough height

I suggest that Craig Bolton shoud play forward for the next 2 weeks! Marked man for a while!

Rod_

[Lucky Knickers]

This is one of Robert Walls pet hates but he generally gets fired up about the ruck contest when ruckmen make no contest and get their opponent off balance by taking out their legs.