Collingwood has been caught out three times in a quarter breaching the AFL’s 6-6-6 centre bounce set-up rule in a bizarre series of events.
Without a recognised ruckman on Thursday night against Brisbane, the Magpies failed to set up properly with six players in each zone of the ground repeatedly.
They were warned the first time before giving away two free kicks from the centre bounce which helped Brisbane create a six-goal turnaround in the second quarter.
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When the first free kick was given, forward Ash Johnson was attending the centre bounce as the ruckman. The second time it was defender Billy Frampton.
“What is going on?!” commentator James Brayshaw declared on Seven.
Richmond champion Matthew Richardson explained: “Frampton had to run into the middle to take the ruck, (Nathan) Murphy had to run back – I think they might’ve (been pinged).
“They’re unorganised and it’s probably because of this ruck situation at the moment.”
Hawthorn great Jason Dunstall said on Fox Footy: “I tell you what Craig McRae will address at half-time – they’ve coughed up two centre-square clearances because they can’t get organised structurally with the six-six-six after a goal has been kicked.
“You can’t afford to give those away.”
North Melbourne champion David King added: “It’s creating confusion. The fact you don’t have one ruckman there, Darcy Cameron, it’s creating all sorts of problems for them.”
