Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has delivered a scathing assessment of the AFL’s current tackling rules, saying they’ve become so unclear that no one — not coaches, players, or even umpires — understands them anymore.
Beveridge says the confusion surrounding what constitutes a legal tackle, prior opportunity, and incorrect disposal has left clubs frustrated and unsure of how to coach their players. In particular, he pointed to grey areas in how long players are allowed to hold onto the ball and the lack of clarity around what umpires are actually looking for during contests.
According to Beveridge, the inconsistencies are not just hurting gameplay — they’re impacting player safety and the integrity of the sport itself. “We’ve reached a point where the rules around tackling are so unclear that coaches are helpless in how we guide our players,” he said. “There’s just too much uncertainty.”
His comments come amid rising concern across the league over how recent rule interpretations are being applied. Several high-profile incidents have raised questions about the AFL’s stance on aggressive or dangerous play and whether the current rules protect players without penalizing the contest too harshly.
Beveridge believes that a key part of the problem lies in recent changes to interpretations, particularly around holding the ball. He says what was intended to speed up the game has instead introduced new confusion — and made it more difficult for umpires to make consistent calls.
He’s now calling for a “correction” from the league, urging the AFL to go back to basics and reintroduce clearer definitions, particularly around “prior opportunity” and “incorrect disposal.” Beveridge says clearer, more consistent guidelines would help everyone — from players and coaches to officials and fans.
In his view, the solution starts with stronger leadership from the league. “It’s not the umpires’ fault — they’re doing their best in an impossible situation. We need the AFL to step in and simplify this before it gets worse.”
With pressure mounting and more voices expressing concern, it’s clear the league will need to address the growing unrest over one of the game’s most fundamental elements: the tackle.
