The AFL has introduced a new rule outlawing head ruffling, effective immediately, after a series of incidents early in the season. The league's new administration under Greg Swann moved quickly to stamp out what it calls 'fake tough guy' acts.
The decision follows Fremantle's Patrick Voss being fined $1000 for ruffling Melbourne's Harrison Petty's hair and making a crybaby gesture during Saturday's match. The incident was widely condemned across the football industry.
Under the new directive to umpires, any player who ruffles an opponent's head will concede a free kick. The rule would have applied to recent incidents, including when Sam Darcy gave away a 100m penalty for retaliating after Josh Worrell ruffled his head. Under the new direction, Darcy would have been awarded a free kick immediately.
AFL match review officer Michael Christian said Voss's actions were 'unsportsmanlike and unacceptable' and had the potential to instigate a melee. 'The action had the potential to instigate a melee or retaliatory action and is an action that we do not want to see flow down into community or junior football,' he said.
Carlton vice-captain Jacob Weitering, who was on the receiving end of a similar incident in Opening Round, welcomed the change. 'The act of ruffling the head, I've never been a fan,' he said. 'Hopefully it stamps it out pretty quick.'
