Patrick Cripps holds concerns about the changes to the holding the ball interpretation, saying there is not enough reward for the ball-winner.
The league made a mid-season change to the interpretation of one of its greyest rules in late May to address the growing discontent with fans and commentators over the time luxury afforded to the ball-winner.
Umpires were directed to shorten the reasonable time component written into the holding the ball rule, while the time taken to call a ball-up from a tackle has also shortened.
Speaking to SEN’s Crunch Time following his side’s 21.12 (138) to 11.9 (75) win over Geelong on Friday night that sees the Blues a game clear in 2nd on the ladder, Carlton captain Cripps suggested the league is yet to get the balance right.
“What I will say is this new holding the ball rule, I think part of the change has been good but I think at the moment we’re rewarding the tackler more than the guy winning the ball,” Cripps said.
“I still feel like there’s a bit of teething issues with that one. I’d love to see a ball-up… the best part of our game is guys going to win the ball, we don’t want to take that out of our game.”
Asked to recall specifics, he added: “I think Matty Kennedy had two last night where he picked it up, had one arm pinned, had no prior but because he’s got one arm free it’s called holding the ball,”
“I’d love just to see a ball up happen really quickly there. If they had prior, holding the ball every time.”
Carlton lost the free kick count 16-22 in Friday’s game.
Speaking as a self-proclaimed footy fan who understands the new interpretation but doesn’t believe some interpretations are in the best interests of the game, Cripps even advocated for new changes to increase the number of holding the ball decisions.
He just doesn’t want it paid when there’s no prior and one arm pinned in a tackle.
“I don’t want to take anything away from the umpires because I think they do a great job and it’s one of the most unrewarded roles but I think one of the biggest changes would be the one where if you get the ball knocked out in the tackle or don’t dispose of it correctly, even if you do make an attempt, I’d love to see that more holding the ball rather than the one arm pinned (free kick paid),” he explained.
Cripps had a season-high 41 disposals on Friday night, also finishing with 14 clearances and 18 contested possessions.