The AFL’s 10-metre protected zone rule is under fire once again after two controversial 50-metre penalties were paid on the weekend.
Essendon’s Matt Guelfi and Adelaide’s Taylor Walker both conceded 50-metre penalties for encroaching the protected zone and Kane Cornes is growing increasingly frustrated with the rule.
Cornes slammed the rule as a “disgrace” and fears it could cost a team a final or even a premiership.
“He (Guelfi) tried to get out of the protected zone – what else can he do other than get out?” Cornes told SEN SA Breakfast.
“He can’t disappear down a pothole at Marvel Stadium. You actually have to get out and he’s pinged 50 and that cost a goal.
“Taylor Walker, as the mark was taken, gets out immediately of the 10-metre protected zone and the umpire pings him for a 50.
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“We just can’t cop it. I don’t know what to do.
“I’m doing my best to make the AFL realise this is a disgrace.
“We cannot cop this because it’s going to cost a team a final, a premiership and it is the dumbest rule along with the stand rule that we’ve ever introduced and they’re not doing anything about it.
“Other than to be really vocal, and footy fans I urge you do to the same until we get an outcome that is satisfactory because this isn’t at the moment.”
The 10-metre protected zone rule was introduced ahead of the 2016 season.