TonyK
CibbuanoRoos seeks clarification on tunnelling
September 2nd 2008 02:34
SYDNEY coach Paul Roos has contacted AFL umpires coach Rowan Sawers to seek assurance match officials have no problem with his side's defensive tactics.
Roos called Sawers after North Melbourne coach Dean Laidley accused Sydney defenders Craig Bolton and Leo Barry of tunnelling – or taking a player's legs out mid-air.
Laidley claimed the Swans used the controversial tactic when the clubs met in round six.
"I thought our key forwards were tunnelled and I thought their arms were taken (out of play)," Laidley said.
"We've spoken to the umpires' department this morning and they acknowledged that they probably missed some stuff.
"We just wanted to make them aware of it, going into this week's game. We've got some key forwards in pretty good form and we want to keep them in good form. We want to give them an opportunity to go and compete for the ball unimpeded."
Roos contacted Sawers to express concerns that Laidley's comments would influence the umpires in Saturday night's elimination final at ANZ Stadium.
"I rang Rowan to clarify what the rule is because tunnelling is such a strange term," Roos said.
"I got clarification as to what the rule is but according to Rowan they don't have any problems with anything specifically that our players do."
"We give away free kicks like every team does in terms of defenders so hopefully 'Hally' gets the free kicks if they're there and if there's a free kick against (Kangaroos forward) David Hale it should be paid as well."
"We don't have a problem with that at all."
"We just expect the game to be umpired as it normally does."
Roos called Sawers after North Melbourne coach Dean Laidley accused Sydney defenders Craig Bolton and Leo Barry of tunnelling – or taking a player's legs out mid-air.
Laidley claimed the Swans used the controversial tactic when the clubs met in round six.
"I thought our key forwards were tunnelled and I thought their arms were taken (out of play)," Laidley said.
"We've spoken to the umpires' department this morning and they acknowledged that they probably missed some stuff.
"We just wanted to make them aware of it, going into this week's game. We've got some key forwards in pretty good form and we want to keep them in good form. We want to give them an opportunity to go and compete for the ball unimpeded."
Roos contacted Sawers to express concerns that Laidley's comments would influence the umpires in Saturday night's elimination final at ANZ Stadium.
"I rang Rowan to clarify what the rule is because tunnelling is such a strange term," Roos said.
"I got clarification as to what the rule is but according to Rowan they don't have any problems with anything specifically that our players do."
"We give away free kicks like every team does in terms of defenders so hopefully 'Hally' gets the free kicks if they're there and if there's a free kick against (Kangaroos forward) David Hale it should be paid as well."
"We don't have a problem with that at all."
"We just expect the game to be umpired as it normally does."
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