The contentious holding-the-ball interpretation has taken another turn, this time with the number of free kicks falling dramatically over the latest round of football.

Champion Data statistics show an average of 6.6 free kicks were paid for holding the ball through the six games of round 15, a tumble from an average of 10.8 over the previous three weeks after the AFL tightened the ruling encouraging umpires to more quickly penalise players.

Numbers game: After a spike in calls, the number of holding-the-ball........

© The Sydney Morning Herald