I don't get people not liking the stand rule

Previously players moved side to side and even forward to prevent players playing on. The game has improved in this area with more quick ball movement and more long shots at goal

My only issue with it is in big games the players can't hear the umpires yell stand

Can't believe they didn't look to clarify the Advantage rule.

Whistle blows, stop play. One guy grabs ball and plays on.

Sometimes brought back if it doesn't work out as advantage, other times it is play on

Unless it is instantaneous play on then you take your free kick. You can't wait 5 seconds and then decide to play on.

I have zero clarity on this rule and it really pisses me off

10 hours ago, DubDee said:

I don't get people not liking the stand rule

Previously players moved side to side and even forward to prevent players playing on. The game has improved in this area with more quick ball movement and more long shots at goal

My only issue with it is in big games the players can't hear the umpires yell stand

The task for 'the man on the mark' used to be to put pressure on the kicker without moving forward over the mark. This could mean standing, waving arms, jumping up or moving sideways if the kicker attempted to move off his line. If the umpire called "play on", the man on the mark could move toward the kicker in whatever direction to apply more pressure or to tackle. This ruling was accepted and applied throughout many decades, possibly a century, before it was deemed too restrictive on the kicker! If you research and watch the games that are held up as classic examples of Australian Rules (eg the 1989 GF), you will notice that the old rule was applied successfully throughout. The umpire could pay a 15 metre penalty if the man on the mark encroached. Supporters, umpires and players throughout the capital cities and the whole country knew how the rule worked. If it ain't broke...

Furthermore, the umpire would most often indicate to the kicker and the man on the mark where the mark was by standing close to the spot and pointing. How often do you see that happen now? The umpire would also indicate the 'line' for kicking over the mark (remember that notion?) and if the kicker deviated, the umpire would immediately call "play on"!

Edited 2 hours ago2 hr by waynewussell

furthermore to my furthermore... before the Stand rule... back in time, there was no necessity for the opposition team to man the mark. If the opposition players in the vicinity ran on in the direction that the kicker was going to kick, there was no penalty. It would be considered poor play because it would allow the player with the ball to run further forward to advantage. The coach would quite likely drag the player who didn't man the mark to prevent this play-on, however, there was nothing in the rules to prevent the opposition team from leaving the mark, as long as the defending players didn't run over the mark! Now we have a 50 metre penalty for almost any movement, in any shape or form, by the opposition player(s). This is more like the playground 'freeze' games we used to play at primary school. This is not sensible, mature rule changing to better the game!

While I might disagree with the odd point, @waynewussell makes a lot of sense. If they are going to penalise players for not standing on the mark, how about making it clear to players and spectators where the mark actually is AND stop the player with the ball from playing from a position miles inboard from a reasonable line of play.