fishalenko
Rookie
The Joel Bowden rushed behind issue has been discussed at length, but no-one has considered the following with regard to the second rushed behind where he handballed the ball through after being called to play on by the umpire.
According to the rules, in order to play on from a kick out, the kicker must first kick the ball to themself before the ball, or they run out of the square. The only other option is to kick the ball out of the square, you simply cannot handball the ball directly from a kick out or step across the line. (The rules do not stipulate the front, side or rear line that I know of.) The result of failing to kick the ball to yourself even after the umpire calls play on, or stepping over the line results in a ball up at the top of the square. This action makes any further actions outside the square nul and void.
I would say we all agree on this.
So how is it that this is different if rushing a behind. The rear line of the square isn't there just for good looks. The behind isn't registered until the entire ball has gone over the line, thus it must be either kicked through or the player must kick to himself prior to handballing it through or stepping through otherwise the above rule would take effect and the point would not count.
Joel Bowden handballed the ball through from a kick out without kicking to himself and therefore he should have been pulled up for failing to play on correctly and a bounce should have been called by the Umpire.
My take on this matter is that the Umpire had made an error.
Please, someone tell me if I am correct or if there is a specific rule that allows for handballing and playing on without kicking to yourself when rushing a behind from a kickout.
I think your right mate.... it should have been a ball up and from a good source im told that there gonna take it further as a club to get AN ANSWER????