Taggers on notice with fourth ump (Herald Sun)
A FOURTH field umpire will be used in this month's NAB Cup to highlight illegal tagging at stoppages.
At a Telstra Dome launch yesterday to announce National Australia Bank's sponsorship of the pre-season competition, AFL chief Andrew Demetriou announced the introduction of four field umpires for the series, which begins in three weeks.
Two umpires will line up in the centre square, one to bounce the ball and the other to spot players intent on blocking or scragging their opponents.
Illegal tagging has been hotly debated in recent seasons, prompting the AFL Rules Committee to try and find a remedy.
"The AFL Commission approved some rule changes over summer including instructing umpires to actively police tagging, blocking and any contact at marking contests not directly aimed at winning the ball," Demetriou said.
"We have been looking at ways to trial something that gives our three umpires more assistance and allows one umpire to scrutinise stoppages.
"The NAB Cup is a vehicle to trial such things and while at this stage we have no plans to introduce it at home-and-away level next season, it will be closely monitored."
Recent pre-season innovations such as kicking the ball into play before the goal umpires have waved their flags and taking a free kick or mark in the goal square from directly in front have been adopted for use during the regular season.
The NAB sponsorship of the pre-season competition is worth $700,000, with $220,000 for the winner.
Money will also trickle down to grassroots clubs.
NAB chief executive officer Ahmed Fahour said yesterday his organisation was keen to promote football at both AusKick level and in country areas.
"We want to reconnect with communities in Australia and we can do that by ways such as offering $1000 for every super-goal kicked in the NAB Cup, with that money going back to the player's junior club," Fahour said.
"For instance, if Brett Deledio kicks four NAB super-goals in the series, the Kyabram Junior Football Club will receive $4000 (a super-goal, kicked from outside 50m, results in nine points)."
Deledio welcomed the move, claiming he and Richmond teammate and fellow "Ky" boy Kayne Pettifer would be under pressure from their home town to send through several nine-pointers.
This time last year Deledio was preparing for his first pre-season game.
"I was that excited I wanted to be all serious, but just couldn't help having a big smile across my face as we ran out," Deledio said.
"I had no real expectations of what was going to happen but I'm a lot smarter now in how to work with my body. My weight was 83kg this time last year and now it's 88kg. I want to get to 90kg.
"Last year I aimed to play 10 or 12 games but (coach) Terry (Wallace) came to me mid-year and said let's go for 22.
"I wasn't going to say no to him and I ended up playing in the International Rules Series because physically I felt fine.
"My advice to the boys making their debut this year is don't get over-awed, just go out there like it's a practice match."
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,18024252%255E20322,00.html
- If the 4th umpire purely polices off the ball incidents, it may be a useful addition and stamp out some illegal and ugly off the ball practices.
- Also great to read that Deledio has put on some real size in the off season. I wonder how much effect this will have on his speed?
