AFL legend Malcolm Blight has blasted Greater Western Sydney's Toby Greene, blaming the lively Giants' forward for the confusion behind the 'studs up' rule.
The rule was brought into the spotlight during the Queen's Birthday clash on Monday, after Jeremy Howe's spectacular mark was paid against him after he put his boot in the back of Melbourne's Tom McDonald.
The crowd erupted into a chorus of boos, while Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley said that the decision should have been paid as a mark.
Jeremy Howe gave away a free kick for having his studs up in this marking contest. #AFLPiesDees pic.twitter.com/e39se4C4ME
— AFL.com.au (@AFLcomau) June 10, 2019
Blight, who won two premierships as a player and two as a coach, was scathing as he blamed Toby Greene for the confusion behind the decision.
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“Toby Greene should never have been born,” Blight jokingly told SEN.
“It’s his fault. Of course it is. We’ve been doing it for 120 years and everyone’s been happy with it.”
The 1978 Brownlow Medallist vented his anger that a rule has been changed due to the actions of one player.
“It’s actually officialdom gone silly. It’s ludicrous,” he said.
“Because one person did an act and kicked out at a player coming out at him and hit him in the face. It’s not on. It’s a free kick every day.
“You don’t need to change the rules for it. Toby Greene hang your head in shame and the rule-makers hang your heads in shame.
“I find it ludicrous actually.”
The AFL confirmed on Wednesday that it has ticked off the free kick as the correct decision.
