Former All Ireland final referee Brian Gavin believes that poor tackling has led to the high number of frees in the hurling league so far.
There were 49 frees in last week's game between Waterford and Westmeath and Gavin says that players must be coached better in this area.
"In the first couple of weeks, from what we've seen, the tackling from the players leaves a lot to be desired. That goes back to coaching. Pulling back a lad's arm, holding his arm, throwing the sliotar, putting the hurl in around the neck, all these are frees. You'd have to say that the referees are probably 80 per cent right in blowing the frees that they're blowing."
Brian Gavin will feature on On The Ball tomorrow from 12 on WLR along with Michael Verney from the Irish Independent, Waterford camogie boss Derek Lyons and former Déise ladies football star Michelle Ryan.
