Are "Runners" being used strategically by clubs?

[craffles]

For those who didn't see it tonight in the dying minutes the Geelong Runner (I believe it was Nigel Lappin) was right near a contest as the ball was about to thrown up. Mitch Robinson gave him a friendly shove and told him where to go.

There has been countless instances this year where clubs runners have been seen filling zones and have even given away free kicks!

My question to bigfooty is do the AFL need to enforce stricter rules on what clubs runners can and can't do?

Should clubs be limited to one runner?

 

[PumpyChowdown]

Runners constantly fill holes.

The Geelong runner had NO business being that close to a ball up in a situation like that.

 

[ManWithNoName]

For those who didn't see it tonight in the dying minutes the Geelong Runner (I believe it was Nigel Lappin) was right near a contest as the ball was about to thrown up. Mitch Robinson gave him a friendly shove and told him where to go.

There has been countless instances this year where clubs runners have been seen filling zones and have even given away free kicks!

My question to bigfooty is do the AFL need to enforce stricter rules on what clubs runners can and can't do?

Should clubs be limited to one runner?

They are. Rule was brought in this year. Some think it may be adding to the problem as the one runner is out there for longer periods.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

I can't believe runners are allowed on the field at all. Do any other sports have runners coming onto the field of play all the time?

Drinks boys/girls the same. Get them all off the field. Just should be players, umpires and medical staff when needed.

 

[ManWithNoName]

 

[Tuco]

Runners shouldn't be allowed in the 50m arc if the ball is also in the arc. Let alone in the goal square when the ball is in the goal square. Full stop.

 

[craffles]

They are. Rule was brought in this year. Some think it may be adding to the problem as the one runner is out there for longer periods.

Didn't know this, thanks for clearing that up.

 

[Blue and Gold Blood]

Tonight we saw another example of a runner deliberately clogging up space on the ground to advantage their own team. The Geelong runner in the last 20 seconds of the game ran right into the contest and was eventually pushed away by Robinson.

In the Fremantle/Geelong game from a few weeks back one of the runners was also deliberately getting involved in the play when the opposition had the ball. Its getting to the point where the AFL needs to take action against this blatant cheating. In modern day footy where its hard to find yourself in space, the last thing this ugly brand of football needs is these runners having an influence on the game by making it even more congested.

I think a suspension + fine + 50m penalty would soon sort this out. Something needs to happen.

 

[drummond2fevola]

Nigel always did know where to run.

 

[Kram]

Players should be allowed to shirt front them if they get in the way.

 

[craffles]

Players should be allowed to shirt front them if they get in the way.

Maybe not that extreme but I wholeheartedly back what Mitch Robinson did

 

[Mr Swan]

I agree, I couldn't believe a free wasn't paid.

 

[mike123]

Cracking down on runners sounds better than implementing netball zones

 

[Lockyer24]

Very ordinary...what's the rules though?

 

[SSSSSS]

Didn't Lappin do this a couple of weeks ago? I remember Darcy yapping on about it for a good portion of the game.

 

[base615]

Just ****ing ban them altogether. There's no need whatsoever for a runner in this day and age. Let the interchanges pass the messages on FFS.

 

[mike123]

Of course they are clubs use anything to place themselves in a better position

 

[JUBJUB]

Didn't Lappin do this a couple of weeks ago? I remember Darcy yapping on about it for a good portion of the game.

No it was the Freo runner.The AFL did SFA so good on Lappin as the AFL have clearly said it's okay what Mr Baldy from Freo did.

 

[CakeEater]

Did anyone see in the last 30 secs the Carlton player shove the runner out of the way when the ball is deep in their fwd line

even money on it being the Geel Runner

 

[base615]

Did anyone see in the last 30 secs the Carlton player shove the runner out of the way when the ball is deep in their fwd line

even money on it being the Geel Runner

It was the Geelong runner, that's the incident we're talking about

 

[clogged]

Get rid of em. Anachronism.

 

[Jaeger]

The ball had been thrown up and Lappin was moving towards the stoppage. He shouldn't have been inside the forward 50.

Of course it was tactical.

 

[Crawb]

Nigel could teach you a few things about footy Robbo...don't shove him away

 

[CakeEater]

It was the Geelong runner, that's the incident we're talking about

Fair enough should have been a free kick most definitely.

 

[beez]

Mitch Robinson should be cited and asked to front the AFL Tribunal for his inappropriate and immature actions.