That doesn’t talk about the timing at all. It talks about the action.perfectionist wrote: ↑Sat 02 Jul 2022 10:23amNo it doesn't.
Here is the rule:
19.2 Where a field Umpire has awarded a Mark or Free Kick to a Player, or a Player is preparing
to bring or bringing the football back into play after a Behind is scored, a Fifty Metre
Penalty in favour of that Player will be awarded if the field Umpire is of the opinion that
any Player or Official from the opposing Team:
(a) has moved off The Mark;
(b) when in the immediate contest, unreasonably holds a Player after that
Player has Marked the football or been awarded a Free Kick;
(c) when not in the immediate contest, holds a Player after that Player has Marked
the football or been awarded a Free Kick;
(d) enters or does not make every endeavour to immediately vacate the Protected
Area, except when the Player is accompanying or following within two metres
of their opponent;
(e) has not returned the football directly and on the full to the Player awarded the
Mark or Free Kick;
(f) engages in any conduct which delays or impedes the play; or
(g) engages in any other conduct for which a Free Kick would ordinarily be awarded.
So the timing relates to when the umpire is "of the opinion" not when the umpire calls it - which can be a second after it.
In the case of the Highmore decision, part (d) applied and the umpire reset the situation, because he had not cleared the area with Harry McKay being too close.
Also, the quarter ends when any one of the three field umpires hears the siren, not when it is signalled.
Where is the part that mentions a-g no longer applies?
McKay makes no effort to clear the area and turns around to face Highmore before he has taken a step.
Definite 50.