Contested Marks

[Bill James]

The Laws of Football clearly state that most forms of contact in a marking contest are prohibited unless the infringer is also attempting to mark the football. Gradually over the last 20 years this has been lost and now it is fair to make contact if the infringer is simply attempting to spoil rather than mark.

The flagrant disregard for this rule has seen the demise of a number of great attributes of our game: the contested mark, the hundred goal full forward, the long kick, strong marking backmen and to a lesser extent the rover at the foot of the pack. At the same time it has promoted flooding, double teaming and scragging before the ball arrives.  

To give us back the game we love nothing has to change, somebody just needs to reed the rules.

15.4.3 Permitted Contact
Other than the Prohibited Contact identified under Law 15.4.5, a
Player may make contact with another Player:
     (a) by using his or her hip, shoulder, chest, arms or open hands
          provided that the football is no more than 5 metres away from
          the Player;
     (b) by pushing the other Player with an open hand in the chest or
          side of the body provided that the football is no more than 5
          metres away from the Player;
     (c) by executing a Correct Tackle;
     (d) by executing a Shepherd provided that the football is no more
          than 5 metres away from the Player; or
    (e) if such contact is incidental to a marking contest and the Player
          is legitimately Marking or attempting to Mark the football.

15.4.5 Prohibited Contact and Payment of Free Kick
A field Umpire shall award a Free Kick against a Player where he or
she is satisfied that the Player has made Prohibited Contact with an
opposition Player.

A Player makes Prohibited Contact with an opposition Player if he
or she:
      (a) makes contact with any part of his or her body with an
           opposition Player;
               (i) above the shoulders (including the top of the shoulders
                   or bump to the head); or
               (ii) below the knees.
      (b) pushes an opposition Player in the back, unless such contact
            is incidental to a Marking contest and the Player is legitimately
            Marking or attempting to Mark the football;

 

[Tigerfan]

the picture of leo Barry marking the ball in the last play of the grand final last year clearly shows a sydney player holding Sampi who is trying to get into the marking contest.

the correct interpretation is free kick to Sampi and no doubt a WCE flag.

but is it the proper interpretation ?

 

[feisty tige]

I do not think the umpire could have seen the hold I think it was Tagh had on Sampi. It was packed.

I am not sure when he started to hold him either, was it at the start of the jump or was it during or after while he was trying not to fall down?

I will have to have another look one day when they play the highlight again.

BTW I like to see a contest, not as keen on the free flowing style, unless it is us doiing it to another team... grumble moan.

 

[craig]

Ahhhhhh the contested mark both it and the contested possession are fast becoming condemmned to highlight reels of the past