STRETCHER RULE

[MightyEagles]

Nothing on the SANFL website yet about the incedent.

[Aerie]

As I have said befre two other things that need to be cleared up is the safety of the player, there needs to be serious questions asked and secondly the rules on use of the stretcher so its not used as an opportunity for teams to regroup and set up plays.

A little bit contradictory there. Surely the use of the stretcher would be for the safety of the player.

The situation was that McKenzie was groggy and could not even get to his feet with the help of the trainers after he was hit. The Eagles would have been mad not to use a stretcher for two reasons. Firstly the safety of the player and secondly so they weren't playing with 17 men on the field while the trainers escorted McKenzie slowly across the other side of the ground through the interchange gates. As well as this, the Eagles had posession of the ball due to McKenzie taking the mark, and were behind on the scoreboard so Norwood have no excuses, they had time to re-group and flood back.

About 5 - 10 minutes after McKenzie was hit, there was a double blood rule which meant it was either McKenzie on the ground or playing with 17 men in the dying minutes of the match. Clearly McKenzie had somewhat recovered and wanted to go back on the field. The Eagles doctors obviously tested and cleared him.

As far as I'm concerned, the Eagles did everything correctly in ensuring their player was safe and the team was not disadvantaged due to injury/blood rules.

The only query is was McKenzie allowed back on to the ground after going off on a stretcher? Well, each interchange must be passed via the interchange steward and for McKenzie to get back on to the ground this must have been ok. The play was stopped and all umpires and boundary officials saw McKenzie was coming back on. If this was not allowed, something should have been done at the time. If the SANFL were to fine the Eagles, it would seem to me to be quite hypocritical when it should be their own officials taking responsibility and making the final decisions during the game.

[CK]

Would imagine a fine and a general revisit of the rules for all clubs would be the best way of dealing with this situation. It's done, has highlighted a need for all clubs and officials to familiarise themselves with such rules and regulations, and needs to be a learning experience all round. Time to move on.

[Adelaide Hawk]

From what I understand, the Eagles have done nothing wrong here. If they had, then surely Norwood would have registered a complaint. As I understand it, a player can leave the ground on a stretcher at any point of the ground, and can return to play at any time. The 20 minutes rule is an AFL directive, not an SANFL one. Eagles got it right.

[davesa]

As an SANFL CLub Official, Adelaide Hawk you are 100% correct, no case to answer,case closed.

[Punk Rooster]

Nothing on the SANFL website yet about the incedent.

LOL they haven't even put the scores up yet- maybe that's why

[stan]

Nothing on the SANFL website yet about the incedent.

LOL they haven't even put the scores up yet- maybe that's why

I really think its a non issue, they'll at most probably cop a small fine and be told not to do it again.

[ca]

As I have said befre two other things that need to be cleared up is the safety of the player, there needs to be serious questions asked and secondly the rules on use of the stretcher so its not used as an opportunity for teams to regroup and set up plays.

A little bit contradictory there. Surely the use of the stretcher would be for the safety of the player.

The situation was that McKenzie was groggy and could not even get to his feet with the help of the trainers after he was hit. The Eagles would have been mad not to use a stretcher for two reasons. Firstly the safety of the player and secondly so they weren't playing with 17 men on the field while the trainers escorted McKenzie slowly across the other side of the ground through the interchange gates. As well as this, the Eagles had posession of the ball due to McKenzie taking the mark, and were behind on the scoreboard so Norwood have no excuses, they had time to re-group and flood back.

About 5 - 10 minutes after McKenzie was hit, there was a double blood rule which meant it was either McKenzie on the ground or playing with 17 men in the dying minutes of the match. Clearly McKenzie had somewhat recovered and wanted to go back on the field. The Eagles doctors obviously tested and cleared him.

As far as I'm concerned, the Eagles did everything correctly in ensuring their player was safe and the team was not disadvantaged due to injury/blood rules.
quote]




Well you have just added weight to my point, he obviously was groggy, forgetting all rules he should not have been allowed to go back out so soon, simple as that. Personal safety of a player should always come first.

[RustyCage]

From what I understand, the Eagles have done nothing wrong here. If they had, then surely Norwood would have registered a complaint. As I understand it, a player can leave the ground on a stretcher at any point of the ground, and can return to play at any time. The 20 minutes rule is an AFL directive, not an SANFL one. Eagles got it right.

Saw on the ABC news on saturday night that the SANFL has put an inquiry in to investigate what happened with McKenzie, so thats probably why Norwood didn't put a complaint in, it was done by the SANFL.

[doggies4eva]

The only way to fix this is to make them play one short next week.

[ca]

From what I understand, the Eagles have done nothing wrong here. If they had, then surely Norwood would have registered a complaint. As I understand it, a player can leave the ground on a stretcher at any point of the ground, and can return to play at any time. The 20 minutes rule is an AFL directive, not an SANFL one. Eagles got it right.

Funny that they have it in the SAAFL though, I thought the SANFL and SAAFL were alligned some how now a days, perhaps not on all rules though strange the AFL and SAAFL would have the 20 minute rule but not the SANFL.

A hypothetical question, does the SANFL still have the send off rule? The SAAFL does, if a player is sent of with an offence that can be replaced ie Category B, what happens if the stretcher rule is still in effect, but if the player that had been on the stretcher is the only one available to come on. Some scenario as the blood rule? The SAAFL might have to clarify there rules as well.

[redden whites]

Bloody hell all this debate over a NON-ISSUE........There is no 20min rule in the SANFL .Once again plenty of umpire bashing when probably the officials where the only ones at the ground who had the situation under control and knew the bloody rules.Shame 95% of suppoters didn't..As for the umpire demanding the player come on.......my god I've never heard such crap; honestly.

[ca]

Bloody hell all this debate over a NON-ISSUE........There is no 20min rule in the SANFL .Once again plenty of umpire bashing when probably the officials where the only ones at the ground who had the situation under control and knew the bloody rules.Shame 95% of suppoters didn't..As for the umpire demanding the player come on.......my god I've never heard such crap; honestly.

I guess my point was that its strange how the SAAFL has one and the AFL but not the SANFL??

[Adelaide Hawk]

Bloody hell all this debate over a NON-ISSUE........There is no 20min rule in the SANFL .Once again plenty of umpire bashing when probably the officials where the only ones at the ground who had the situation under control and knew the bloody rules.Shame 95% of suppoters didn't..As for the umpire demanding the player come on.......my god I've never heard such crap; honestly.

I guess my point was that its strange how the SAAFL has one and the AFL but not the SANFL??

That is a very good question and should be asked. I also agree with redden whites that I can't believe the fuss over a non-issue. I'm a Norwood fan and I'm not bothered about it in the least. We lost, they won, no laws broken, let's get on with next week's round

[Mickyj]

Bloody hell all this debate over a NON-ISSUE........There is no 20min rule in the SANFL .Once again plenty of umpire bashing when probably the officials where the only ones at the ground who had the situation under control and knew the bloody rules.Shame 95% of suppoters didn't..As for the umpire demanding the player come on.......my god I've never heard such crap; honestly.

I guess my point was that its strange how the SAAFL has one and the AFL but not the SANFL??

That is a very good question and should be asked. I also agree with redden whites that I can't believe the fuss over a non-issue. I'm a Norwood fan and I'm not bothered about it in the least. We lost, they won, no laws broken, let's get on with next week's round

well Im ready to move on you'll get no arguement from me AH or any other Eagles fan

[cd]

Perhaps a final word.

Confirmed today by the SANFL that WWTFC DID NOT break any SANFL rules.

Stretcher may leave ground and player is deemed to have gone thru' interchange.
No 20 minute rule re returning to play.

Club doctor checked the player and determined he was fit to return to play.

[Wedgie]

Thanks for that cd, the good thing to come out of it is we're all a bit more aware of the rules now.

a) If you come off on a stretcher you are deemed to exit the field of play through the interchange
b) No 20 minute or full game stretcher rule exists in the SANFL

[Punk Rooster]

Thanks for that cd, the good thing to come out of it is we're all a bit more aware of the rules now.

a) If you come off on a stretcher you are deemed to exit the field of play through the interchange
b) No 20 minute or full game stretcher rule exists in the SANFL

Which begs the question... if your fit enough to re-enter the playing arena, why did you need a stretcher in the first place?

[ca]

Thanks for that cd, the good thing to come out of it is we're all a bit more aware of the rules now.

a) If you come off on a stretcher you are deemed to exit the field of play through the interchange
b) No 20 minute or full game stretcher rule exists in the SANFL

Which begs the question... if your fit enough to re-enter the playing arena, why did you need a stretcher in the first place?

Good to hear all has been resolved, I think for the safety of players Id like to see a 20 minute rule brought in for next season.

[Adelaide Hawk]

Thanks for that cd, the good thing to come out of it is we're all a bit more aware of the rules now.

a) If you come off on a stretcher you are deemed to exit the field of play through the interchange
b) No 20 minute or full game stretcher rule exists in the SANFL

Which begs the question... if your fit enough to re-enter the playing arena, why did you need a stretcher in the first place?

Maybe one of the trainers were a bit hasty in calling for the stretcher. I think once the stretcher is ordered onto the field the player is obligated to use it.