New AFL umpires boss Peter Schwab has dismissed player backlash against the new ruck rule, saying it was based on data and club feedback. Last month Hawthorn’s Luke Hodge and Geelong pair Patrick Dangerfield and Mark Blicavs protested on social media when the league announced a ban on the third-man up at ruck contests.

That was one of three key rule changes for this season, with umpires to police rushed behinds more strictly. Umpires will also be tougher on players who try to draw free kicks for high contact.

“Whatever happens, whatever you do to the game, whenever you change it, there are people who won’t agree with the change,” Schwab said. “There are 18 clubs and they’ll have various views. Ultimately in the end, it’s the AFL’s decision, based on analysis and taking into account what everyone says.”

The new umpires director said the AFL wanted ruckmen to stay involved in the game. “We’re trying to have a contest where there are just two players contesting the ruck, simple as that,” he said. Schwab said the plan was for a player from each side to nominate as the ruckman at each ball up or boundary throw in, adding that umpires were looking at several criteria to work out whether players should be penalised for deliberate rushed behinds.

“We’ll work on fact – we know there’s perceived pressure with players, but the umpire will look at it and say ’well I think the player had a lot of time to do something, but he elected to take it over’,” Schwab said. “It’s a lot stricter interpretation, for sure.”

If the umpire decides a player created high contact in a legitimate tackle by ducking, dropping the knees or shrugging, then play-on will be called. “Last year there was a lot of talk about it, so we’ll just see if this is going to be easy to adjudicate,” he said. Schwab has no doubt the new interpretations will generate plenty of debate, especially early in the season. “The first few times it happens, yeah for sure, people will be looking at it,” he said.

This is the second stint as umpiring director for the former Hawthorn coach and Brisbane list manager. Those who have filled the role previously have often developed prickly relationship with senior coaches, but Schwab hopes they will work together.

“Hopefully over the journey we’ll have a respectful relationship, because that’s the best way to get an outcome,” he said. “We don’t want to be too adversarial. We’re certainly open to any communication we’re going to have.”



