The actual rules aren't important here TBR, you should know that by now
If, and this is a huge if given the gross inconsistency of the umpiring, the rules are interpreted as written, then it might be reasonable to cite the rules.
But what is the relevant rule here?
It looks to me like it is the rough conduct rule which reads as follows:
17.7.2 Free Kicks - Rough Conduct
A field Umpire shall award a Free Kick against a Player when that Player engages in rough conduct against an opposition Player which in the circumstances is unreasonable, which includes but is not limited to:
(a) executing a dangerous tackle on an opposition Player;
(b) making forceful contact below the knees of an opposition Player or executing a forceful action towards the lower leg of an opposition Player, causing the opposition Player to take evasive action;
(c) sliding knees or feet first into an opposition Player;
(d) using boot studs in a manner likely to cause injury.
17.5.2 is also relevant but refers to the above and 17.3 does not refer to this - the studs rule refers to rough conduct not prohibited conduct.
Reiwoldt did not use boot studs in a manner to cause injury and, I should add, what a terrible rule, very badly written. Again, it asks the umpire to interpret what the player is doing. The player has to use their studs in a manner likely to cause injury, so, does incidental contact constitute using the studs, or is it incidental. Hence the room for interpretation. I can't see how Riewoldt's mark was using his boot studs in a manner likely to cause injury.
As for that free to Rioli which resulted in a goal, that was quite near me. It was paid as in the back, but Rioli didn't even get pushed forward, that was a legitimate tackle every time. No interpretation issue here, just a woeful decision.
Woeful decisions, especially like the Rioli decision, are completely unacceptable. These umpires are just not good enough, way too inconsistent. The AFL should stop fiddling with the rules and do something about the standard of umpiring. I won't be holding my breath, the AFL are incompetent.
DS