Eddie McGuire Reveals Collingwood's Deliberate Game Delay Strategy
Former Collingwood president Eddie McGuire has openly confessed to orchestrating a scheme with the Magpies cheer squad to deliberately slow down AFL games when it benefited the team. McGuire, who led the club for 23 years from 1998 to 2021, including during their 2010 premiership victory under coach Mick Malthouse, disclosed this tactic on his Eddie and Jimmy podcast.
Mick Malthouse's Cunning Plan Unveiled
McGuire recounted how Malthouse, known for his defensive and risk-averse coaching style, devised a plan to exploit game delays. "Can I give a confession? Remember when they started to bring the multiple balls behind the goals?" McGuire said. He explained that Malthouse sent him to coordinate with the cheer squad before a match, instructing them to hold onto the ball after it was kicked for a behind or throw it to a designated person.
This tactic caused umpires to halt play as the full-back prepared to kick out, effectively disrupting the opposition's momentum. "It worked a treat, worked an absolute treat," McGuire boasted, praising the cheer squad for feeling involved in the game. His co-host, Geelong champion Jimmy Bartel, reacted with amusement, calling the move "naughty" and highlighting its dubious nature.
Recent AFL Incident Echoes Past Tactics
The revelation comes amid a similar incident involving Adelaide forward Ben Keays, who recently gestured to a Crows supporter to delay returning the ball during a match against the Western Bulldogs. Channel 7 commentator Alister Nicholson labeled it "gamesmanship on the wing," while Kane Cornes questioned its legality under AFL rules.
In 2022, the AFL announced stricter enforcement against deliberate delays, with Law 19.2 (f) allowing free kicks or 50-metre penalties for such actions. Although it is unclear if Keays violated this law, the AFL has expressed displeasure with the tactic to the Crows this week, underscoring ongoing concerns about fair play in the sport.
Implications for AFL Integrity and Rules
McGuire's admission sheds light on historical strategies that challenge the spirit of the game, raising questions about consistency in rule enforcement. As the AFL continues to address gamesmanship, this story highlights the fine line between tactical innovation and unsportsmanlike conduct, with past and present incidents prompting scrutiny from officials and fans alike.
