{"id":127717,"date":"2025-09-08T12:08:21","date_gmt":"2025-09-08T12:08:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/127717\/"},"modified":"2025-09-08T12:08:21","modified_gmt":"2025-09-08T12:08:21","slug":"fremantle-coach-justin-longmuir-calls-for-10000-fine-to-stamp-out-staging-after-cam-rayner-controversy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/127717\/","title":{"rendered":"Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir calls for $10,000 fine to stamp out staging after Cam Rayner controversy"},"content":{"rendered":"

Fremantle<\/a> coach Justin Longmuir has come up with a quick way to stamp staging out of the game for good: whack players with a $10,000 fine.<\/p>\n

The issue of staging for free kicks was thrust back into the spotlight on Friday night when Brisbane star Cam Rayner was gifted two goals<\/a> at a crucial point of his team\u2019s 38-point qualifying final loss to Geelong.<\/p>\n

With Tyson Stengle lining up for goal to put Geelong 33 points ahead in the second quarter, Rayner flopped to the turf in the goal square at the opposite end of the ground after receiving a light nudge to the back from Mark O\u2019Connor.<\/p>\n

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today \"Download<\/a><\/p>\n

The umpire paid a free kick to Rayner from point-blank range.<\/p>\n

And when an incensed Zach Guthrie bowled Rayner over after the goal was kicked, Rayner received another free kick in the goal square, reducing the margin to just 15 points.<\/p>\n

The AFL later admitted the first free kick shouldn\u2019t have been paid due to the force being insufficient, but Rayner wasn\u2019t charged with staging when the match review officer\u2019s findings came out on Saturday.<\/p>\n

\"CamCam Rayner went down twice and kicked two goals in the space of a couple of minutes. Credit: 7AFL<\/p>\n

Even if players are charged for staging, the fine is only $1500 for a first offence, which can be reduced to $1000 with an early guilty plea.<\/p>\n

Longmuir wants the league to come down harder on any type of diving, flopping, staging or over-exaggerations, saying the game is already hard enough to umpire.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s easy to stamp out \u2014 fine them. Players don\u2019t like getting fined, so just fine them and you tidy that stuff up,\u201d Longmuir said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThree years ago, or two years ago, we tidied up ducking your head to try and draw the free kick.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf someone flops and it\u2019s recognised as a flop, just fine them. Give them 10 grand, and then it\u2019ll tidy itself up.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlayers adapt really well to what the rules are, and if there\u2019s lenience in the rule, they\u2019ll find little gaps to draw three kicks.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I don\u2019t blame them for doing that, because they\u2019re looking for any advantage. They\u2019re so competitive, they\u2019re looking for any advantage they can in the game.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut we just need to not reward it, and then if we do reward it in a game accidentally, well, fine them. It will get tidied up quick as.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"CamRaynerCamRayner has been criticised over a controversial free kick against Geelong’s Mark O’Connor. Credit: AAP<\/p>\n

Fremantle had their own off-the-ball controversy in Saturday night\u2019s one-point elimination final loss to Gold Coast.<\/p>\n

With the Dockers down by just a point in the second quarter and about to enter attack, Fremantle forward Patrick Voss was penalised for pushing Wil Powell to the ground in an attempt to get free for a lead.<\/p>\n

The Suns kicked the next four goals to take a 25-point lead into halftime.<\/p>\n

Longmuir was careful to point out that he didn\u2019t think Powell had staged in that instance, but rather it was a case of a stronger player being able to powerfully push away their opponent, and that it didn\u2019t deserve a free kick.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor me, the Gold Coast player goes and makes contact with Voss, trying to stop his run, so the stronger guy (Voss) ends up on his feet,\u201d Longmuir said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just a big penalty.\u201d<\/p>\n

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