AFL

AFL not so tackle happy after Darren Milburn's tackle last season

By Bruce Matthews
February 12, 2009

GEELONG defender Darren Milburn's technically perfect tackle on Richmond's Shane Edwards last season is being used by the AFL to warn of the potential for injuries to the recipient.

Milburn's tackle which pinned Edwards' arms and resulted in the Tigers' head hitting the ground, was highlighted on a DVD of judiciary rule changes sent to clubs.

The AFL altered the definition of the contact category for the rough conduct charge after Milburn had a two-game ban halved at the tribunal following the Round 18 incident at Telstra Dome.

Under the dangerous tackle aspect of the rough conduct charge, it will be classified as high in situations where the victim's head makes contact with the ground or fence.

The match review panel assessed Milburn's tackle as reckless conduct, high impact and high contact. The demerit points were decreased when Milburn's defence argued that initial contact was to the body.

AFL clubs will use the DVD to instruct players on the rule changes before this week's NAB Cup matches.

"I think the players are pretty mindful of it . . . they know they've got to be much more careful," Geelong football operations manager Neil Balme said.

Players will now be culpable for injury caused when a player is pushed into another player. The AFL has also warned against bumping an unsuspecting player before a contest.

Demonstrative behaviour by a player or official towards an umpire will now be referred to the tribunal instead of incurring a fine.