TAKING COVER: Hawthorn's Lance Franklin takes Eagles forward Ashton Hams high last season. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow
WEST Coast has been given the all clear to continue its controversial "ducking" tactic to draw free kicks, despite protests from several AFL clubs.
The Eagles won more head-high tackle frees than any other club last season, a total of 177 in the home-and-away season - 37 more than the second team, Greater Western Sydney, and almost 65 more than the AFL average.
AFL director of umpiring Jeff Gieschen confirmed yesterday there would be no change to the head-high interpretation this year.
A number of Eagles and several other players, including Geelong skipper Joel Selwood, were accused of ducking to elicit head-high frees.
But Gieschen told the 18 AFL clubs recently that "the clear mandate is to protect the player with the ball and to protect the head".
"We have said very clearly that the onus is on the tackler to get as low as he can to make sure the tackle is legal," Gieschen said.
"When a player has won the ball and is about to be tackled, he is entitled to evade and try and beat the tackle," Gieschen said.
"This isn't so much about the player with the ball; it is about the player tackling."
Gieschen admitted some clubs had asked for a clearer interpretation and for a possible change after several coaches last year accused the Eagles of milking free kicks.
But after some discussion at the AFL laws of the game committee meetings, the panel ruled the head had to remain sacrosanct.
"Some of the feedback was that there was probably a risk that some players will adopt the same tactics to try and beat the tackles," Gieschen said.
"We have said that we don't have an issue with that providing the tackler does it legally, which is below the shoulder."
Gieschen stressed: "This is not a West Coast thing.
"You have players at every club who are very good at trying to evade tackles.
"Individual players have their own skills and idiosyncrasies. Some feel comfortable with the ball in their hands, taking on the tacklers; others don't.
"I don't see it as certain players trying to get an advantage, because for some it is a part of their footy DNA."
Last year North Melbourne's Brad Scott and Hawthorn's Alastair Clarkson questioned some tactics used by players to chase free kicks in a tackle.
With the issue of concussion and protecting the head paramount, Gieschen said the laws of the game committee - which he attends but does not vote on - had opted for no changes.
Gieschen said a free would be paid against a player with the ball if he put his head down and initiated contact with another player.
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