Richmond v West Coast: 'Studs-up' frees against Riewoldt have Hardwick puzzled

Tom Naghten

Richmond v West Coast: 'Studs-up' frees against Riewoldt have Hardwick puzzled image

After four of the most hotly contested and high quality quarters of the season, Richmond emerged victorious in their top-four clash with West Coast.

Playing in the early Sunday afternoon fixture, normally reserved for games of far less consequence, the Tigers and Eagles put on arguably the game of the season.

It ended with Richmond victorious, overhauling a deficit that got out to as much as 29-points in the first quarter to win by a solitary goal.

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Tigers star Jack Riewoldt booted the match-winner deep in the final quarter, but there were two free kicks paid against the key forward that got under the skin of coach Damien Hardwick.

Riewoldt was twice penalised for 'studs-up' infringements in marking contests in which he came down with the ball.

Both decisions had the officials offside with the player and his coach.

Check out the incident below.


Speaking after the match, Hardwick questioned whether the rule was being properly interpreted.

"I don't think that's what the rule was brought in for," Hardwick said.

"If you don't want high marks in the game, come on … I don't think it's a good look.

"At the end of the day, the rule was brought in for the guy who kicks someone in the head. The last time I looked, that player's head wasn't on his hamstring.

"Have some common sense."

Hadwick suggested that the rule, which was largely brought in off the back of GWS star Toby Greene's controversial marking style, might not even be necessary in the first place.

"I didn't know why we needed the rule in the first place, to be perfectly honest … we seem to have a very reactive nature at stages," Hardwick said.

"The game of AFL is so tough on these blokes. Don't give them so many rules."

 

Tom Naghten

Tom Naghten Photo

Tom Naghten is a senior editor at The Sporting News Australia where he's been part of the team since 2017. He predominantly covers boxing and MMA. In his spare time, he likes to watch Robbie Ahmat's goal against the Kangaroos at the SCG in 2000.