A CONTENTIOUS free kick given against Bomber Courtenay Dempsey for a dangerous tackle has been declared correct by acting umpires director Luke Ball.
Ball, speaking on Whistleblowers, said the umpire made the right call in penalising Dempsey for a dangerous tackle on Andrew Gaff, despite the Eagle appearing to jump into the Bomber's arms.
Watch the decision in the above video
"We think that this is a correct call under the current interpretations of the rule that's obviously been tightened the last couple of years due to the impacts of concussion, " Ball said.
"We can see there that although Andrew Gaff probably slightly leaves the ground as he enters the tackle, Courtenay Dempsey – who's a really good tackler, it must be said – probably accentuates the lift, and then tips Gaff into a pretty vulnerable position."
Gaff's head did hit the ground while his arms were pinned, but there didn't appear to be a lift and sling double-motion that has often led to a free kick being paid in the past.
Ball said the double-motion was only one cue the umpire can look for when penalising a dangerous tackle
"But what the umpires are looking for is a player being tackled in a vulnerable position where his arms are pinned, or as you can see there, the lift and the slight turn, or whether the player is driven into the ground with excessive force.
"The umpire in that situation was in a pretty good position to see that view there, and we think that's a good decision to be paid."
Ball also responded to comments from Richmond legend Kevin Bartlett on radio on Monday morning, who is calling for the AFL to replace former umpires director Wayne Campbell in a full-time capacity.
Campbell resigned from the position in round three after taking up the general manager of football operations position with Greater Western Sydney.
Ball, the acting director, said nothing had changed since Campbell departed, and umpire coaches were working harder than ever behind the scenes.
"In terms of what's happening behind the scenes, the coaches are working hard, if not harder than ever, to make sure we're preparing and reviewing games as in depth as we always have."
He said he was enjoying the work, and would consider putting his hand up for the full-time job next season.
"I'm growing into it and getting my head around it all, and I think Mark [Evans] and the executive team will make the decision at the end of the year," he said.
Three decisions relating to deliberate rushed behinds were also looked at, with Ball saying frees paid against Kyle Hartigan and Leigh Montagna were correct, but Dylan Grimes should have been penalised.
