McRae Slams “Comical” AFL Stand Rule Amidst Injury Concerns
Collingwood coach Craig McRae has voiced strong criticism of the AFL’s revised “stand” rule, labelling it “comical” and highlighting a significant disconnect between umpires’ interpretations and player execution. McRae expressed frustration that his players are being penalised for actions that occur when umpires call for a stand, arguing that the players are often left in a state of confusion, “literally freezing,” metres away from the intended mark or free kick location.
This outspoken critique comes in the wake of Collingwood’s 33-point victory over the Greater Western Sydney Giants at Marvel Stadium. However, the win was overshadowed by concerning ailments to key players, skipper Darcy Moore and club champion Scott Pendlebury. Both are now expected to miss the upcoming Thursday night clash against Brisbane at the Gabba. Moore is nursing hamstring awareness, while Pendlebury has suffered an Achilles strain.
When questioned about the challenges of navigating the early season, including adapting to new rules, managing an early bye, and implementing fresh game plans, McRae pinpointed the “man on the mark” rule as a particular point of contention. He revealed that the Magpies had sought clarity on the rule during their bye week, even inviting umpires to training sessions to address several crucial 50-metre penalties conceded against Adelaide. Despite these efforts, McRae believes a significant “grey area” persists.
“I’m not sure we are on the same page,” McRae stated. “Our players are just freezing. They are literally just freezing. But the mark is still two or three metres up from where the ball has been taken.” He feels the competition has deviated from the rule’s original intent.
McRae proposed a radical simplification: “Maybe get rid of saying ‘stand’. Let the mark be the mark and if you go back, it’s 50.” He lamented the current situation, describing it as “quite comical really. In the early rounds, we’ve got guys standing backwards to the mark.” He was quick to absolve the umpires of blame, attributing the issue to the directive of the rule and its interpretation.
Injury Updates on Moore and Pendlebury
Collingwood will be conducting further investigations into Moore’s hamstring complaint to ascertain the full extent of the injury. Meanwhile, Pendlebury underwent precautionary scans on his ankle on Saturday morning, with the club expected to release more detailed information early next week.
The veteran duo sustained their respective injuries during Friday night’s encounter with the Giants, spending significant portions of the match on the sidelines. McRae initially described Moore’s issue as “hamstring awareness,” but later confirmed Pendlebury’s Achilles strain. Interestingly, Pendlebury himself had downplayed concerns about his leg earlier on Fox Footy, stating he was substituted as a precaution for an ankle soreness that he had sustained the previous week against Adelaide.
In other match-related news, Collingwood avoided significant penalties following the match review officer’s analysis of an incident involving Ned Long. The midfielder was fined $1500 (reducible to $1000 with an early plea) for a first-time striking offence after making contact with the face of GWS’s Clayton Oliver.
The primary talking point of the night, however, remained Moore. Despite repeatedly coming off the ground with a limp, he would return to play, though his ability to kick the ball appeared hampered. McRae elaborated on Moore’s situation, explaining that the “hamstring awareness” was a recurrence of an issue from 10-12 days prior. The decision to play him involved a risk assessment, with the coaching staff weighing the potential to rotate him for short periods without undue risk. However, McRae conceded Moore was “not right” and “not 100 per cent,” expressing doubt about him being fit for the upcoming trip to Brisbane.
Pendlebury, who was on track to equal Brent Harvey’s record of 432 games on Anzac Day, will now see that milestone delayed. McRae confirmed that the plan had always been for Pendlebury to miss the Brisbane game, a timeline that now aligns with his injury. The coach admitted he was still awaiting full clarity on the extent of Pendlebury’s issue, promising updates as soon as they become available. The football world eagerly awaits these developments, especially with Pendlebury’s milestone game potentially shifting to a clash against Hawthorn at the MCG, or a subsequent away game against Geelong or Sydney.
Debutant Shines Amidst Magpie Dominance
Despite the injury concerns surrounding Moore and Pendlebury, McRae was full of praise for debutant Oscar Steene. The Magpies coach made a bold decision to start the athletic Steene in the ruck, a move that paid immediate dividends. Steene’s prowess at the centre bounce, particularly his ability to win first possession, set up the Magpies’ second goal through a precise tap to Nick Daicos. McRae highlighted how this ruck advantage could significantly impact the midfield dynamics, enabling players like Nick Daicos and Jordan De Goey to gain momentum.
Beyond his ruck work, Steene also marked his AFL debut with a strong mark and a maiden goal, celebrated by a swarm of 17 teammates.
Collingwood’s defence proved exceptionally resilient, weathering periods of intense pressure from the Giants. Despite GWS enjoying greater possession and frequently entering their forward 50, the Magpies’ backline held firm. McRae acknowledged the Giants’ dangerous “tsunami handball” style but noted his team’s success in forcing contests in the second half.
Nick Daicos delivered a dominant performance, earning best-on-ground honours with 36 disposals and two goals. His brother, Josh, also had a significant impact with 33 possessions, despite a brief interruption for a sore shoulder in the opening term. Tim Membrey was the leading goalkicker for Collingwood with four majors.
Giants’ Frustration Continues
For GWS coach Adam Kingsley, it was another week of mounting frustration. His side led in disposals, handballs, and inside-50 entries (58 to 50), yet they struggled to convert this dominance into scores. Kingsley lamented his team’s inability to capitalise on their opportunities, particularly in the second half when they were outplayed in the centre square.
“It’s connection,” Kingsley stated, identifying a key area for improvement. “I thought Collingwood defended well in the moments that they needed to, but I think our connection is nowhere near where it needs to be at the moment.”
