With cricket...
January, 24th 2008 03:19 AM

 

With cricket and tennis taking up all the news space there , once again, is little to report on in the world of Aussie footy. 

However, Carlton has named the 6 man leadership group for season 2008.  The group includes new boom recruit Chris Judd, last years club champion Andrew Carazzo, last years bad boy Brendan Fevola, Heath Scotland, Kade Simpson and Nick Stevens. 

All senior list players voted on a 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 basis to come up with the group.  Certainly some eyes were raised when the big Fev got the vote. 

The umpires have gotten a new rule to stop players running into them.  The rules committee have decided to implement a rule in the AFL's pre-season competition, a two-metre "no-go zone" will be enforced behind an umpire backing away from a centre bounce, and a free kick will be paid against any player entering that area.

Collisions between players and umpires increased five-fold last season, with 17 reportable incidents involving players making contact with officials. All these involved centre or field bounces.

It was reported in Melbourne's Herald Sun newspaper on Wednesday that AFL Umpires' Association chief executive Bill Deller believed the new rule could prevent an official from serious injury.

"We are delighted that they have taken into account some issues that concern us and the umpires. It will be interesting to see how this rule works," Deller was quoted as saying in the article.

"When the contact is from behind, the umpires aren't expecting it and some of these contacts have been quite heavy. There certainly is the potential for an umpire to be hurt."

Deller said, pending the results of the trial, his organisation would be open to the rule's introduction in the season proper.

Players will be allowed to pass in front of an umpire once he backs away, but are prevented from entering the 'zone' behind the official, which extends 6.5m back from the centre bounce.

What a crock of shit.

Until next week, whack an umpire, 

Digger

 

 

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