Kane Cornes isn’t a fan of AFL legend Leigh Matthews’ suggestion of allowing players more time before being penalised for holding the ball.
In an interview with The Age, Matthews called for players who attack the ball to be given greater opportunity to dispose of the ball before a free kick was paid.
If Matthews’ suggestion was implemented, it would mark a departure from the current interpretation of holding the ball, which calls for players to make a swift attempt at dishing off the footy before being penalised.
Cornes said the potential rule change would make things “even more confusing”, urging the AFL to keep the rule as it is.
“At least the rule what it has (going) for it now, you can look at a rule book and understand what was going through the umpire’s mind,” he said on SEN SA Breakfast.
“With all due respect to Leigh (Matthews), this (rule change) would make things even more confusing.
“I would need to see it in real time and see some examples and trailed in the pre-season, but as it sits right now, the less rule changes the better."
The holding the ball rule is one of the most controversial in the game, consistency diving opinion about how much time the ball carrier should be afforded before a free kick is paid.