Overview

• West Coast coach Andrew McQualter and Collingwood’s Craig McRae have formally asked the AFL for clearer directives on interpreting the holding-the-ball rule.
• The request follows a late-game incident at Marvel Stadium in which Ned Long retained possession unpenalised while Liam Duggan was pinged, leading directly to a Collingwood goal.
• That goal extended the Magpies’ lead and helped seal a 29-point victory that dashed West Coast’s hopes of an upset.
• Both coaches criticised the rule’s subjective criteria and warned that inconsistent umpiring affects tactical planning and player decision-making under pressure.
• West Coast plans to overhaul its training once the AFL issues clarification, and Collingwood is awaiting the league’s formal guidance before adjusting its game strategy.