A goal umpiring error of the highest order, then a free kick for having a crack at the goal umpire. What a debacle. These guys are pathetic wannabes

A goal umpiring error of the highest order, then a free kick for having a crack at the goal umpire. What a debacle. These guys are pathetic wannabes

agreed! be funny if the cats win by a few points...

As bad as the umps are, you have to feel for them trying to officiate a game where the players are acting to a ridiculous degree.

Poor, poor St. Kilda.

To the umpires credit, they put it away in the second half. A very good Grand Final - pity there had to be a loser. A draw and replay would have been fitting

Getting a bit sick of finals being decided by a string of diabolical umpiring decisions.

The first quarter the umps were against the cats, second quarter favoured the cats a little then put it away in the second half.

Umpire department should show the second half and tell them that is how you should umpire a game, all game every game!

I guess it evened out in the end. Hawkins hits the post, but gets the goal and the Saints get a second dubious shot in front of goal. Still doesn't excuse the umpires from making some bad decisions.

Saints probably deserved to win on the day, but Geelong are still worthy winners. Would have been disappointing for them to have only one premiership to show for the last 3 years of dominance.

Poor, poor St. Kilda.

Lucky, lucky Milburn.

The umpiring was largely ok except for two of the biggest howlers ever, that thankfully evened out. Not full marks, but well done to the umps.

The deliberate out of bounds rule needs to be addressed immediately.

Two goal umpires at each end needs to be in place, something I have been calling for a long time.

Involved in umpiring at a reasonable level.

Milburn free kick was tough, but correct - 15.5a&b could have been reported under 19.2.2c or d

Two goal umpires probably won't happen. Whilst that was a terrible error today, 99.95% of all Goal Umps would have picked that up in a 1 umpire system. Said at the time to some umpiring mates that the goal ump left his run across to late. Only started moving when the kick had grazed the post. Would be knocked off for a positional and scoring error. Also, the introduction of 4 boundaries has meant that the pressure on goalies has been reduced somewhat because they now always have boundaries on the post.

Watch out for 4 field umpires in 2010 (2011 at the absolute latest). Big recruitment drives going on at state level because of GC and GWS teams and the extra umpire.

Two goal umpires probably won't happen. Whilst that was a terrible error today, 99.95% of all Goal Umps would have picked that up in a 1 umpire system.

Well this was a 0.05% occasion, a Grand Final mind you where each goal's value was extremely significant due to the score and pressure of the game.

There is no harm in not having two goal umpires, no point risking it at all.

Edited September 26, 200915 yr by Clint Bizkit

Four is seriously not needed. Just introduces complication - think about an on-line situation. Two goalies clogging up the line and both have a different opinion on whether it was touched or not. Debate, discussion with the fieldies and boundaries and 5 minutes later...still no clearer.

As for today's error. Where were the field or boundary umpires to overrule?

4 goal umpires would just cause more confusion than there already is.

A Video umpire should be able to over rule those "wrong decisions" & Quickly, before the game is re started.

Saints blew it in the 2nd Q tho.

Thier own fault.

My thoughts too Brett, there are 3 field umpires and none of them picked that up either.

When they trialled the four goal umpires in the pre-season a couple of years ago there was never any issue of confusion.

When they trialled the four goal umpires in the pre-season a couple of years ago there was never any issue of confusion.

Maybe a light should go off when the ball hits the post......

Everyone can see it, no confusion then !!!

Funny. All in all I think the umps did a great job. There were only two calls I saw that were wrong. Sadly both went against the saints, but the difference on the scoreboard would only be 11 points, so no harm done.

Actually, there was one more. No way did Chapman deserve the Norm Smith.

Edit: Or perhaps not, given that they don't pick the winner. So all in all a good day from the umps, but the voting panel need to be flogged.

Edited September 26, 200915 yr by RalphiusMaximus

Haha Ralphius, I believe that is what the young folk these days call an "epic fail".

I thought they were pretty good too. A few missed ruck infringements and one or two unwarranted incorrect disposals, but all in all a pretty good performance. Thought McBurney ended up the best of all. Surprised me somewhat - had had an average season in my view.

McBurney is a hack, and only marginally better than McInerny.

I tend to agree, but I thought he consistently made good decisions yesterday.

To the umpires credit, they put it away in the second half. A very good Grand Final - pity there had to be a loser. A draw and replay would have been fitting

leave the umpires alone, the saints [censored] themselves. they almost crapped there pants v the bulldogs ,simple kick through the big sticks win games

Nobody can use the "they're just following the laws" argument when you see them blatantly 'put it away' in the last quarter. Pay it all day or not at all - then I'll blame the league.

The goal one was a shocking decision, that umpire should never umpire another final. The Riewoldt/Lake incident last week was nearly as bad and against the spirit of the game. But the Milburn one was fair enough, he flipped off the umpire right in his face while yelling at him.