Matthews,a four-time premiership coach and arguably considered the greatest player of all time,expressed sympathy through the season for umpires in dealing with a rule which can send supporters wild. He said on Saturday the player winning the ball needed time to kick,handball or tap.
“People have different philosophies. Some people,for instance,think there should not be prior opportunity at all,which I am completely against,” Matthews said.
“It means if you get the ball,and get tackled ... I just think you have got to give favours to the bloke with the ball. That’s my basic philosophy.
“My philosophy is to protect the bloke who has got the ball in his hands,given that he has got it.
“That aside,what favours do you give to the bloke who has just got the ball or what favours do you give to the bloke who is second to the contest and does the tackling? If there is a benefit of the doubt,give it to the player with the ball.”
Just how much time the player with the ball should have,and whether the player should be allowed,for instance,to be spun around once before releasing the ball,is a complicated issue,said Matthews. And just what constitutes “immediately” when it comes to releasing the ball by foot or hand is something the competition committee is likely to discuss.