Frustrations are rising over the AFL’s new interpretation — or lack thereof — of the high contact rule.
The AFL tightened the high contact rule before the 2026 season begun, announcing players with the ball who are tackled high but have contributed to the tackler’s high contact by dropping down will not only no longer be awarded a free kick, but be penalised for holding the ball.
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Players had become so good at drawing free kicks by dropping their knees or lifting their shoulders that the AFL was moved to introduce the refined interpretation to protect the players from themselves, and disincentivise players from playing for free kicks.
Any shrug or attempt at drawing a free kick was supposed to be players’ prior opportunity.
But after a first half littered with high contact free kicks in the Western Bulldogs’ clash with Fremantle on Friday night, James Brayshaw wasn’t convinced the rule tweak was working.
“That was the 11th high contact free kick inside a half of football,” Brayshaw said when Dogs forward Arty Jones won a free kick on the wing.
“We were told (in the) pre-season they were going to officiate this differently.
“The evidence is not showing that.”
Barely a minute later, Bulldogs forward Will Lewis got a shot at goal from a high contact free kick inside 50 after appearing to lower his centre of gravity to draw the whistle, just as the AFL had tried to legislate against.
“That’s the lowering of the centre of gravity, they’re the ones that we were told would be looked at a little bit differently,” Nick Riewoldt said.
“I’d like that to be your prior opportunity. If you’re going to drop like that, I reckon that should be holding the ball.
“It just makes it impossible for the tackler who’s coming in to execute the tackle and you drop — he’s got no choice but to get you high.”
