Kane Cornes says there is a flaw in the AFL rules and it’s “dangerous” for the players.
Twice Adelaide’s clash with Hawthorn on Friday night did an umpire call holding the ball to a player who had one arm free but no prior opportunity to dispose of the ball.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Kane Cornes frustrated at flaw in the rules.
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Under the current rules of the game, players are required to dispose of the ball, or at least attempt to do so, if they have an arm free.
But with one arm pinned and a player on their back, neither a handball nor a kick is possible in some instances — as was the case on Friday night.
First it was Crows winger Dan Curtin who was penalised for holding the ball despite being helpless to get rid of it after being tackled immediately.
Next was his teammate Jake Soligo, who was dumped by Conor Nash as soon as he got the ball, because he had one arm free.
Cornes said it’s putting players in danger.
“It’s just too harsh, it is,” he said during Channel 7’s coverage of the game.
“And you can hear the umpires communicating with each other: ‘Arm free’ (they’re saying).
“So, it’s not criticism of the umpires — he’s made the right call, it’s the right call.
“But what the game is asking our players to do is dangerous and it’s got to change.
“He has to try to attempt to kick it. He can’t handball it, he’s got one arm, so make an attempt — but it’s dangerous.
“If there’s no prior, it shouldn’t be holding the ball.”
James Brayshaw added: “My issue with it is once you pin a player’s arm, that’s the most vulnerable position they can be put in on a footy field.
“So, we don’t want to promote putting a footballer in a dangerous position by paying a free kick. That’s the bit I don’t get.”
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