Videos of frees paid against Max and Paddy in this http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-08-23/strapped-up-to-the-max-dees-unique-training-technique  Paddy's arm looked bent and Max either puts his arm out or gets a knee in the ribs or in the head...

The article confirms that clubs have complained to the umpires department.  And: "It is also believed some clubs are becoming increasingly frustrated that certain players, who they believe are utilising straight-arm blocks in ruck contests are not being penalised as heavily as others".   I guess mfc and Port are the ones getting frustrated!

As long as umpires are consistent.  My fear is that umpires are watching certain ruckman and will ping them.  Not good in finals - there are too many umpiring biases already.

In the article, Max confirms he is wearing a sling like device at training. 

Gary Lyon said in SEN that pretty sure it was St Kilda who complained about Gawn....

2 minutes ago, Deestar9 said:

Gary Lyon said in SEN that pretty sure it was St Kilda who complained about Gawn....

So with immediate knee-jerk reactions the umpires give StKr ruckman 5 frees against Max!  I'm not surprised it was StK as whoever won the round 20 game goes into the finals. 

I've mentioned it in another post; it is incredulous that the club wasn't informed so that Max could change his technique...those frees vs StK could have cost us the finals. 

34 minutes ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

I've mentioned it in another post; it is incredulous that the club wasn't informed so that Max could change his technique...those frees vs StK could have cost us the finals. 

Interesting point you make actually. There's been a growing frustration in the AFL community with this "rule of the week" thing. The umpire's department deny it, but it's impossible to ignore when you're watching it. Instead of the umpires department just tightening individual rules week to week behind the clubs backs it would be cooperative if they sent memo's to each club saying "following review's of the past few weeks we feel there has not been a tight enough interpretation of the blocking ruck infringements, please inform your coaching department this rule in particular will be closely monitored this week and going forward".

Communication is the key here, right now it feels like they're going behind the backs of the players and coaches.

Its worse than that as the saints complained and obviously we weren't told they would crack down but the saints WOULD Have known. 

Therefore they could have changed tactics accordingly....

Its almost akin to match fixing.

25 minutes ago, Pates said:

Interesting point you make actually. There's been a growing frustration in the AFL community with this "rule of the week" thing. The umpire's department deny it, but it's impossible to ignore when you're watching it. Instead of the umpires department just tightening individual rules week to week behind the clubs backs it would be cooperative if they sent memo's to each club saying "following review's of the past few weeks we feel there has not been a tight enough interpretation of the blocking ruck infringements, please inform your coaching department this rule in particular will be closely monitored this week and going forward".

Communication is the key here, right now it feels like they're going behind the backs of the players and coaches.

I think you mean "impossible to deny"

It's an absolute farce. There is no such thing in the rules about a straight or bent arm.

So we are playing the Pies this week? Hmmmm Let's run off to the umpiring department and complain about the Collingwood mids holding at centre bounces. They have been doing it all year and we just want to know if its OK and has been sanctioned by the AFL becuase if it has we'll start doing it  

3 hours ago, biggestred said:

Its worse than that as the saints complained and obviously we weren't told they would crack down but the saints WOULD Have known. 

Therefore they could have changed tactics accordingly....

Its almost akin to match fixing.

That's why we won they needed help, as soon as a team needs to complain about something mentally they where beaten 

3 hours ago, jnrmac said:

So we are playing the Pies this week? Hmmmm Let's run off to the umpiring department and complain about the Collingwood mids holding at centre bounces. They have been doing it all year and we just want to know if its OK and has been sanctioned by the AFL becuase if it has we'll start doing it  

Let's complain about their midfield only running one way. Hang on that's not a rule, it's just one of the reasons they suck.

8 minutes ago, don't make me angry said:

That's why we won they needed help, as soon as a team needs to complain about something mentally they where beaten 

Sure, but the umpires should have told us that they were going to be looking at it, saints knew and we didnt.

4 hours ago, Deestar9 said:

Gary Lyon said in SEN that pretty sure it was St Kilda who complained about Gawn....

Hopefully Roo finishes with a loss.

And for anyone surprised about Rod Butters, Gardner (cousins best mate) was at the club over Buttersguidance. I heard at the time they had no regard for who saw how hungry their noses were. And now everyone is acting all surprised.

[censored] you St Kilda. Won't be seeing you in the finals.

8 minutes ago, Wrecker45 said:

Hopefully Roo finishes with a loss.

And for anyone surprised about Rod Butters, Gardner (cousins best mate) was at the club over Buttersguidance. I heard at the time they had no regard for who saw how hungry their noses were. And now everyone is acting all surprised.

[censored] you St Kilda. Won't be seeing you in the finals.

Me too, but I hope he wins one more first. We'll play Richmond if he does.

1 minute ago, Chook said:

Me too, but I hope he wins one more first. We'll play Richmond if he does.

My mistake. Do it for Rooy!