UMPIRES have been blowing the whistle and balling it up more often since rolling mauls marred the Richmond v Sydney Swans clash at the MCG in round 14.
Since round 15, the average number of ball-ups per game sits at 27.9, a significant rise on the 22.8 ball-ups per game happening up until round 13.
There were 34 ball-ups in the Richmond v Sydney game but the average for that round was 25.8.
Tigers coach Damien Hardwick said after that game the answer to resolving the congestion was relatively simple.
"They've just got to throw the ball up quicker. Just ball it up," Hardwick said.
"I feel we bring upon the congestion ourselves. If we [throw] the ball up straight away after two or three players go to ground, sides will reset. What happens is we hold our whistle, players from both ends come in and then they throw it in."
It appears to be working too with extra ball-ups causing less rather than more congestion according to the AFL observers as fewer players gather around the ball.
Clubs also averaged 11.65 goals a game in the first 13 rounds but have averaged 12 goals per game in the past four matches.
Since that round 14 game umpires have been reminded of the instruction to throw the ball up if two players contesting the ball can't be separated or pay a free kick if it is warranted.
Umpires coach Hayden Kennedy said the message to umpires has not change this year but the Richmond v Sydney Swans game showed coaches needed to re-address the issue with umpires and discuss what was required.
"Our approach to the bounce has always been the same. We hold off in a one-on-one [contest] with the whistle to see whether they can get it out or make a genuine attempt," Kennedy told AFL.com.au.
"As soon as the ball is trapped, we are going to blow the whistle. Our coaching has been consistent throughout the year."
Traditionally the number of stoppages has been used as indicator of whether play is congested with fewer stoppages perceived to be a healthy sign.
However a reassessment appears underway as the relatively new umpiring department continues to adjust the balance to improve umpiring and establish consistency.
The umpires are aware that if they hold on to the whistle too long more players gather around the ball and create rolling mauls. Finding the balance remains an art because the right decision is somewhere between a battle for the ball between two players and several players around the ball from each team.
The right balance appears to be somewhere in the high-20s per game with Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs – both considered high stoppage teams – playing in the only two games this season where there has been at least 50 ball-ups.
Melbourne has played in the five games that have recorded the most ball-ups this season, with 44 ball-ups during last week's game against Geelong.
Average number of ball-ups per game
Rounds 1-13 22.8
Round 14 25.8
Rounds 15-17 27.9
Most ball-ups per game this season
51 - Bulldogs v Melbourne R15
50 - Melbourne v Bulldogs R8
44 - Melbourne v Geelong R17
44 - Melbourne v Richmond R9
43 - Melbourne v GWS R3
Fewest ball-ups per game this season
7 - Gold Coast v Richmond R1
Fewest ball-ups in a game since round 15
16 – St Kilda v Richmond R15
