Strong suggestion ... Scott Watters wasn't happy with the Swans' blocking tactics.Source: David Crosling / AAP
St Kilda coach Scott Watters has accused Sydney Swans' defenders of blocking his team's forwards from a distance that breaches AFL rules.
While he avoided directly saying the Swans were getting away with acting outside the game's rules or spirit, Watters pointedly described their actions as "pretty interesting" and worthy of a closer look.
"Their defenders are very good defenders. I think they block off the ball better than any defensive group in the league,'' he told reporters after Thursday night's match in Wellington, which the Swans won by 16 points.
"We need to have a really good look at the way they block from 10 or 15 metres away off the ball and see if we can bring some of that into our game.
"Some of their blocking, yeah, was pretty interesting.''
It's against AFL rules to block a player standing more than five metres from the ball. But asked if he was accusing the Swans of getting away with illegal tactics, Watters replied: "You said that. I didn't say that."
"We need to have a good look at the way they block 10 or 15 metres off the ball and don't get infringed against," he said.
Obstruction ... Daniel Anderson is ready to change the ruling.Source: Mark Evans / News Limited
The obstruction rule is set to undergo an immediate facelift after referees coach Daniel Anderson confirmed he had begun consulting members of the competition committee over ways to stem the onslaught of criticism which has shadowed the new interpretation this season.
Anderson's move on the obstruction rule came as it emerged NRL chief executive Dave Smith would take greater involvement in on-field activities by becoming chairman of the competition committee.
Smith is also ready to increase the committee's involvement in the game by pushing for them to meet on a monthly basis.
The competition committee includes some of the game's best minds, among them Wayne Bennett, Tim Sheens and Darren Lockyer.
Anderson has already begun speaking to those on the committee as he attempts to clarify the obstruction rule amid a chorus of criticism from coaches and players over the opening month of the premiership.
Bennett became the latest prominent figure to weigh into the issue when he claimed officials had created a "minefield" with the current interpretation, which sanctions any contact on a defender which is initiated by a decoy runner.
Aside from the claim that legitimate tries are being disallowed, the biggest criticism is that defenders are taking dives to earn their team a penalty.
"It's a terrible look that blokes are going down," Anderson said.
"You can't have rugby league replicating European soccer. You can't have people falling over."
Anderson was expected to wait until the meeting of the competition committee later this month to begin the period of consultation but that process has been fast-tracked.
Change is almost certain to follow. Video officials are likely to be given more discretion in deciding whether contact warrants a penalty.
Aside from Bennett and Sheens, Penrith coach Ivan Cleary also spoke out against the new interpretation on the weekend. Cleary is also on the competition committee. Given the views of that trio, it seems highly unlikely the situation won't change in the near future.
Anderson refused to put a timeframe on when any changes would be made, but it would seem unlikely they would be pushed through for this weekend's round.
However, Anderson did insist he would be guided by the advice he received in coming days.
"I will consult first and foremost members of the competition committee because they are a really good collective of rugby league people," he said.
"That will be the starting place. I know them well enough that we can have a frank discussion. If an adjustment needs to be made after the consultation process, it will be done."
Smith's presence on the committee is set to ensure the body becomes more influential.
