AFL boss Andrew Demetriou says it’s a skill to milk free kicks, and players who implement the tactic shouldn’t be labelled stagers.
The issue of milking and staging was again thrust into the spotlight last Friday night when West Coast won a series of dubious free kicks in the dying minutes of their two-point win over North Melbourne.
Eagles midfielder Luke Shuey earned a free kick for in the back after he purposely buckled at the knees while he was being tackled from behind.
And North Melbourne coach Brad Scott was left fuming when West Coast veteran Adam Selwood received a free kick for high contact while on the ground.
A player is considered to have milked a free kick when he exaggerates contact or encourages it to occur.
Staging occurs when a player feigns contact when none (or little) has been made.
Demetriou claimed players have milked free kicks since football’s inception, and said it shouldn’t be confused with staging.
“I mean the great Kevin Bartlett who sits on the laws committee, he was the great milker of free kicks in the days when you used to be able to throw the ball out and get grabbed holding the man,” Demetriou said.
“That’s what players do – they milk free kicks.
“I think it’s different than staging or different than acting.
“People don’t like acting and so forth. But it can be a skill to milk a free kick.”
The Selwood brothers have become notorious for gaining free kicks for head-high contact, with some critics suggesting they purposely buckle at the knees to be collected high.
Demetriou felt some of the criticism was unfair.
“I know one thing about Joel Selwood – he’s one of the most courageous players I’ve ever seen play football,” Demetriou said.
“He seems to be first in for the ball, and that’s an advantage.
“Whether he gets a free kick or not, he’s still going to get to the ball first. He’s incredible like that.”