Cyril Rioli's history of tackling by the arm.

[PassionPit]

This isn't related to the MRP or today's decision but these videos were posted and astounded me.

He seems to have a habit of grabbing the arm during tackles. Bad technique that is pretty dangerous. Would be in his and Hawthorns best interest just to tackle around the body and avoid grabbing the arm.

 

[Jaeger]

Four great tackles.

 

[Leather Poisoning]

Tackling by the arm is fine.

Doing a chicken wing - where you put it behind someone's back and then raise it upward in a way that would injure that arm isn't.

Of those videos I didn't see any of Rioli's victims show the slightest concern, or inability to carry on to the next contest. If he was tackling guys and they were left there writhing in pain because he'd inflicted an injury I'd be pretty critical.

 

[chunkylover53]

Would rather see players not get suspended for these tackles than everyone who does it gets suspended. I wouldn't say Cyril is being a 'sniper' or 'dog', in the end it can be part of a tackle and shouldn't get weeks.

What Judd did to Adams was a bit different and a dog act but didn't deserve 4 weeks. If Judds was a 4 week ban then Cyrils should have been a 1 week one.

Glad nothing happened though. We cry out that the AFL is becoming soft then whinge twice as hard when players aren't rubbed out.

 

[hawkman]

Aren't you meant to pin the arms so as to stop them legitimately disposing the ball(not that it matters now anyway). Where else can you tackle? You tackle higher up and player will use the Selwood shrug to evade or draw a free kick. Tackle around the waste and the arms get clear and the player can still move the ball on

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Plenty of players do it.

I think it's potentially dangerous and grabbing a wrist or arm in a tackle should be outlawed.

Buts its unfair to single out Rioli, plenty of players do it and its clearly been taught as a technique at various times.

 

[JOELY]

When an arm is pinned the umpires get very excited and will pay a holding the ball more often than not. If you're playing to the current interpretation it's a good technique.

 

[Leather Poisoning]

I find it strange that in a sport where large forwards are encouraged to sprint and jump at the footy and make defenders 'earn it' by kneeing them square in the back, that we think a guy who grabs the wrist during tackling and doesn't actually injure anyone should be scrutinized more heavily.

 

[maryjames]

Disturbing.

 

[rjslcM]

Why do you say it's dangerous?

I've noticed it his entire career, it's taken you guys alot longer.

I've also noticed he's caused no injuries.

 

[maryjames]

Why do you say it's dangerous?

I've noticed it his entire career, it's taken you guys alot longer.

I've also noticed he's caused no injuries.

Not sure if the Western Bulldogs best player agrees..

 

[Brown n Gold]

Brilliant tackles.. It's pretty hard to handball when Cyril locks onto your arm.. he is a strong little bugger!!

 

[rjslcM]

In a tackle you're pinning the arms anyway. What he's doing is no more dangerous. If you think so, how? Another rule change to come no doubt though LOL

 

[rjslcM]

Not sure if the Western Bulldogs best player agrees..

I would say he's fine?

 

[FlowersByIrene]

Why do you say it's dangerous?

I've noticed it his entire career, it's taken you guys alot longer.

I've also noticed he's caused no injuries.

He injured warnock in that tackle.

He's a filthy cheat

 

[maryjames]

I would say he's fine?

Looked in distress. If Judd did that would had been a media shitstorm and 3 weeks.

 

[Paul Kersey]

Send it it to the Bay and rename it Cyril Rioli's history of kicking arse.

 

[dipper86]

People that are comparing it to Judds are just moronic...for starters Judd wasn't even tackling his opponent, his team mate was the one that had tackled his opponent face down into the turf. Judd then waltzes in and bends Adam's arm like it was play dough.

 

[clogged]

Worse than Judd.

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

People that are comparing it to Judds are just moronic...for starters Judd wasn't even tackling his opponent, his team mate was the one that had tackled his opponent face down into the turf. Judd then waltzes in and bends Adam's arm like it was play dough.

Not true. Judd grabbed Adams' arm whilst he was still standing in the Carrazzo tackle. He held it as he went to ground and then pulled it up for about a second or so. He never waltzed in and grabbed it while Adams was on the ground.

 

[vWestCoast]

People that are comparing it to Judds are just moronic...for starters Judd wasn't even tackling his opponent, his team mate was the one that had tackled his opponent face down into the turf. Judd then waltzes in and bends Adam's arm like it was play dough.

This. Ever since then any tackle of the arm is compared to him, none of them are even close.

 

[dipper86]

Not true. Judd grabbed Adams' arm whilst he was still standing in the Carrazzo tackle. He held it as he went to ground and then pulled it up for about a second or so. He never waltzed in and grabbed it while Adams was on the ground.

He grabbed his arm whilst Adams was falling to the ground, once he was planted Judd standing over the top of him proceeded to bend the sh*t out of his arm. It went for at least 3 seconds. he was still hanging onto the arm even when the kangaroos players started remonstrating with him.

 

[Bell Ringer]

Of those videos I didn't see any of Rioli's victims show the slightest concern, or inability to carry on to the next contest. If he was tackling guys and they were left there writhing in pain because he'd inflicted an injury I'd be pretty critical.

You're wrong.

That was Warnock's last snr game in 2012 due to a shoulder injury sustained in the above chicken-wing tackle.

 

[Simon_Nesbit]

Rioli's arm-grab tackles are absolutely perfect, the ideal tackle.

What is the purpose of a tackle? To win the ball.

The traditional tackle was the bear hug, using superior body strength to pin the ball, then using body weight to bury the opponent in the turf. Player in possession took the ball to ground, forcing a contest. If they dropped it, they were penalised. The AFL stopped paying holding the ball (held in), and started paying in the back - even when it was the player being tackled who dived forward. Any time the ball came free was play on. The holding tackle was dead.

So players started using the body-tackle, hitting hard "League" style trying to get the opponent off balance enough to take the player to ground. The AFL started paying incidental high contact, and players in possession started seeking out head-contact.

This is the next evolution. The only way to win holding the ball is to restrict the disposal, but not the ball. You cannot tackle by the leg, so the only remaining option is the arm not in control of the ball.

The player in possession has the ball arm free, so is not restricted. They are off balance due to the up-down nature of the arm tackle so can't drop it on their foot. It's also much easier to impact on someone's balance with an arm tackle than against their whole body. They cannot dispose legally, but are also not restricted - there is only one possible outcome. Holding the ball.

Blame the AFL for their "interpretations". Blame the clubs that have perfected the "dive" and the "ducking bull" and the "knee-bend". Blame the clubs that developed the "knocked free" tactic, and the umpires who pandered to their stars. But don't blame Rioli for just being better/smarter than everyone else. He is just a step ahead.

 

[Bell Ringer]

He grabbed his arm whilst Adams was falling to the ground, once he was planted Judd standing over the top of him proceeded to bend the sh*t out of his arm. It went for at least 3 seconds. he was still hanging onto the arm even when the kangaroos players started remonstrating with him.

He held on to Adams' arm until the dim umpire finally blew his whistle for a ball-up.