Holding the ball decisions 2004-2010

[plugger66]

What would you suggest the rule should be?

Exactly as is, only with prior opportunity taken into account. Some benefit must be paid for players attempting to make the play that find themselves set upon by outside receivers.

To use the Filth as an example, it's very exciting to have a lot of Dale Thomas' out there, but someone has to be a Luke Ball to make that happen.

If a player jumps on the ball and is given prior opportunity what happens if it is held in by either that player or another player?

HTB. Where is this line of questioning heading, your honour?

So it will end up the same as it is now.

Except with prior opportunity added.

Yes but it still will not get out because either the player with it doesnt want it out or the other side will keep it in. All it will do is get more players on top of the player with the ball because he will have it longer before the free is paid.

[degruch]

What would you suggest the rule should be?

Exactly as is, only with prior opportunity taken into account. Some benefit must be paid for players attempting to make the play that find themselves set upon by outside receivers.

To use the Filth as an example, it's very exciting to have a lot of Dale Thomas' out there, but someone has to be a Luke Ball to make that happen.

If a player jumps on the ball and is given prior opportunity what happens if it is held in by either that player or another player?

HTB. Where is this line of questioning heading, your honour?

So it will end up the same as it is now.

Except with prior opportunity added.

Yes but it still will not get out because either the player with it doesnt want it out or the other side will keep it in. All it will do is get more players on top of the player with the ball because he will have it longer before the free is paid.

Schnieder didn't want it out? Looked like it to me, all that attempted handballing and approaching St Kilda players et al.

That match was an unusual one, the HTB calls seemed to be timed by the roar of the home crowd...it was not a typical scenario (well, maybe a typical scenario for a Victorian team in WA).

[bigcarl]

absolute disgraceful joke is what it is!!

Complete change of the rule. DONT be caught trying to make the playl and being first to ball. Prior oppotunity? Now utterley NON EXISTANT.

I agree. I cannot have a rule that penalises the guy first to the ball and rewards the guy who gets there second.

This rule must change and it will (IMO) from next season. We ought to start thinking about how to best exploit this now.