TAKING A DIVE

fan4collingwood · Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2003 7:56 pm

I have firmly believed for years.... [and said it many many times] ....that players who take a dive to get a free kick should be reported for bringing the game into disrepute.
Too many times we have seen players pretending to get a push in the back.....ie ben hart at footy park a fews years ago that cost as the game......and when the umpire gets sucked in by these players who should spend the time and effort going for the ball instead of staging....well it makes me so mad!

hotpies · Joined: 27 Feb 2003 Location: Hobart

if we decided to give reports out to faking players this game would become much more difficult and unfair. I believe if there is doubt over an acting incident or not they player could be evaluated by video evidence after the game has finished and then fined if he's found guilty of acting.
I know this may not work because when an opposition player gets the ball through the free kick from acting and then kicks the winning goal....but ....i really think alot of it come from Coaches asking the boys to do a few acting sessions to win the ball or stop an attack when their behind just to steady the ship but if the coaches said no to their teams at quater time then i really think that would make an influence, this year has already been quite bad with players acting, i just hope someone comes up with a solution and quick!!! i hope Aussie Rules doesn't turn into Soccer lol

black&whitebeliever · Joined: 25 Jan 2003 Location: melbourne

I agree this has been a growing problem .Port Adelaide are experts at it..
and a bad freekick can turn a game around at a crucial time.. not sure of how they should deal with it. .. but I think a repeat offender should suffer a free kick given away.

Brown26 · Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2003 10:04 am

I think there is already too much responsibility given to the umpires, they're not intelligent people, they can't make decisions properly. If there is any doubt about a decision they will make mistakes as often as not. Look at teh three point rule in the wizard cup, I don't think I ever saw them get it right, suddenly they had to use their little brains, and it all went downhill form there.

Any more responsibility given to umpire interpretations will only reduce to game even more because of their lack of skill.

- Ben

MargOZ · Joined: 08 May 2001 Location: Vic, Australia

I think it's up to the coaches to tell their players that they don't want to see any 'over-acting'. Reporting is way too harsh and even a free kick's probably pushing it for such a minor thing (even though we all hate it!). The umps just need to be aware of it and if a player 'stages' and then has a whinge for not getting a free the ump just tells them to shut-up and get on with the game!

There is a fine line though. If a player does legitimately deserve a free, they are going to try and make sure the ump sees it - that's okay (like Leon's free on the wing). But it's when a player is barely touched (ala Aka) and then dives for a free - it's a joke and makes the player look stupid. That's what the umps should be able to distinguish between. No easy answer, but I'd hate to see diving for a free become widespread - as although I love the soccer I HATE the way they just get touched and suddenly their writhing on the ground in pain - drives me mad!

GO PIES!
Marg

Northern Pie · We are watching! Joined: 27 May 2001 Location: Queensland

Wasn't great to see them pin it on Akkerwankis and his reaction was typical of a guy who had been found out!!! I seriously hope that they don't give this guy the time of day in the media...Up here they are grooming him for a media career...such a great example....

fan4collingwood · Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2003 2:46 pm

And didn't aka squirm in his seat on the footy show when confronted....LOVED IT!