JWH is in for a rough year

[Roosterfarian]

https://au.sports.yahoo.com/league/a...ems-resurface/

[Maxy Walker]

Here we go. That’ll be lead item on the tip sheets - make sure JWH plays the ball with his foot.

[Rooster_6]

This will last for all of the first 5 rounds.

[RoosterFanNZ]

This will last for all of the first 5 rounds.

was thinking the same thing, didnt they have the same 'crackdown'start of last season or one before?

[bondi paul]

a topic posted around christmas - predictions.
my prediction being somewhat sarcastic in saying JWH to give away the 1st penalty. perhaps the odds have shortened following the crackdown play the ball story and title thread

[Jacks Fur Coat]

I hate these crackdowns and purges of one outdated rule...ruins games.

[Moose]

Can someone tell me what the point of this rule is in the modern game?

[4 the all in brawl]

They have had this crackdown at least once possibly twice in the past 4 or 5 seasons.

As R6 as said they will police it for about a month, then will forget about it.

JWH isn't exactly Robinson Crusoe with the way he plays the ball......

[Jacks Fur Coat]

Can someone tell me what the point of this rule is in the modern game?

My kind of understanding was that each play tbe ball situation was technically a "ruck" where either the attacking or defending player "the marker " could both strike for the ball and must use their feet. Used to get some players quite adept at winning the ball from marker in the play the ball.

These days i think its unstated purpose is to slow the ruck down a little.

[Hawkeye]

Think it's become so much easier just to roll it back without touching your foot (touch footie style) obviously because its quicker, but also the interpretive way over the past several years that ref's rule lost ball unless you play it back with one rake of the foot. For some reason they've decided that if you have to rake it back with two touches of your foot, it's a knock on ....don't see why that has become the case !

As for JWH being in for a rough year, think more likely it'll be a rough month because as usual the crackdowns last for just the first couple of rounds and are then forgotten about.

[Johnny Tobin]

The only thing I know is that I am his biggest customer for his undies -

https://www.frontrowofficial.com.au/

My family loves them.

[rozza]

To be fair a lot of players don't play the ball correctly but honestly the Burgess brothers are the worst offenders hell sometimes i don't think they even know what a play the ball is.

[Arties Pie]

How hard is it to follow the rules and play the ball with the foot. Lazy thats all there is to say.

[Vasco]

I'm a fan of the crackdown. Playing the ball with your feet is part of the game.

[milanja]

Can someone tell me what the point of this rule is in the modern game?

I agree, can’t see why they don’t just let minor forward passes go either, and get rid of the scrum too as it serves no purpose. If we want a game with no rules and abysmal handling, we could all just go and support AFL.