Free for free: AFL's Top 5 stagers

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Jarrad Waite staging

Under the current rules, a player cops a written reprimand for a first offence and that will remain for the rest of his career.

A second offence will carry an $1800 fine, reduced to $1200 for an early plea, while a third offence will carry a $2400 or $1800 penalty.

Lindsay Thomas

No wonder North Melbourne coach Brad Scott didn’t hold back in his post-match press conference -  after Lindsay Thomas exaggerated a push from James Kellytook a dive during the third term and was paid a free kick.

It was an embarrassing relapse for a talented player who can't shake the diving habit. 


Steve Johnson




Johnson has deserved a standing ovation for some of his acrobatics over the years.

The mercurial Cat should consider himself very lucky to have escaped MRP scrutiny since the so called crackdown started five seasons ago.

Jarrad Waite

The Carlton forward was guilty of one of the most blatant staging acts during this season's Round 2 match against Richmond.

Waite was on the ground when Tiger Jake King’s leg made contact with his chest. Waite responded theatrically by holding his mouth in an attempt to win a free kick.

Craig Foster would be proud of that one. 

Adam Goodes



Goodes has become a target for certain football fans.

Many believe he didn't deserve 'to be named Australian of the Year just for playing footy. But those views are misguided because it was Goodes' front-foot stance on racism that earned him that honour.

So why do so many fans hate the dual Bownlow Medalist?

We think it might because he plays for freekicks, not so much through diving but more by pleading with the umpires when others wouldn't bother.

Angus Monfries

Credit is owed to the experienced small forward, who has cleaned up his act after joining Port Adelaide in 2012.

But playing for Essendon in 2011, Monfries took a dive in an 'incident' that led to Hawthorn's Jordan Lewis being rubbed out for two games.

"I think Jordan Lewis was really stiff to get the weeks that he did," Monfries said afterwards.

"I took a dive, it was in front of goal. I was trying to get a goal.

"And there was nothing much in the Jake King incident last week either.

"It's something I've got to address."

 

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