Umpiring in crisis

[Webber 10,181]

Well done to the boys for a vigorous second half comeback, but our starts are becoming a predictable embarrassment. The umpiring yesterday (whilst it didn't cost us the game)and in the AFL in general, is becoming increasingly maddening. Four woeful mistakes yesterday are beyond explanation.

1. The Joel Macdonald tackle on Ballantyne in the last quarter. Prior opportunity, yes. The perfect tackle, yes, and how. Non-disposal, yes. This defines 'holding the ball' Free kick MacDonald, no.

2. The Sylvia holding the ball in last quarter. Prior opportunity,arguable. Tackled, only after the ball had been knocked out by the tacklers arm. This defines an interpretation of 'play on'. And this after a clear throw by Freo player to keep the ball in play from the boundary. This defines 'throwing the ball'. Free given, no.

3.Liam Jurrah mark over the top in last quarter. Clearly, but play on is the call. This defines a (barely)contested mark.

4.Joel MacDonald grabbed by the jumper in a marking contest, and thrown to one side. Neither player in possession. This defines 'holding the man'.

Playing interstate, you start with a 4 goal umpiring deficit before the ball is bounced. Nothing about yesterday's game contradicts this.

[deeflog 679]

i have a theory on the umpiring. I think the only way it is going to improve is by getting past players on as umpires. Until this happens we are going to have these ridiculous decisions and non decisions happen. The current crop of umpires do not have an understanding of what the player is going through out on the field and this hurts their ability to make correct decisions out on the field.

[mikeod 21]

Anyone else see the vision, in the last quarter just seconds prior to the ludicrous Colin Sylvia holding the ball, of umpire number 8 looking directly at the Fremantle player throw the ball?

He was in perfect position, and actually could not possibly have missed it.

It was tantamount to cheating.

[JACKATTACK 17]

Very rarely do I actually blame the umpires for much, for the most part I think they do a good job given the vagaries and complexity of our game. And even when it is bad it is generally bad for both teams and the result is the same. But yesterday they let the crowd dictate their decisions too much. Very poor and one sided, who knows what the result had been if a few of these decisions were called as they should have been.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

Anyone else see the vision, in the last quarter just seconds prior to the ludicrous Colin Sylvia holding the ball, of umpire number 8 looking directly at the Fremantle player throw the ball?

He was in perfect position, and actually could not possibly have missed it.

It was tantamount to cheating.

The umpire who claimed Simon Black threw the ball a few weeks ago was suspended, this umpire should get the same.

[Eth 4]

If Jordie McKenzie (and two others this week) can get fined for contact with an umpire, accidental or not, then surely umpires can be sacked for ruining the game?

It's 25 on 22 whenever a Victorian team plays interstate bar Collingwood...bastards

[dee-luded 2,958]

The umpire who claimed Simon Black threw the ball a few weeks ago was suspended, this umpire should get the same.

Suspended,? or dropped?

If you want to get better sports people to your code or team you have to churn through them until you pick the best.

If the talent pool is shallow because umpires are dropping out of the game at a young age because of abuse, or the availability to go & play soccer, then we have & are creating our own problems.

Those ('maggots'), are probably going to play soccer or other stuff.

It's our Own Fault.

[Johnny Karate 559]

1. The AFL and rules committee do the umps no favors by constantly changing rule interpretations.

2. The media put an insane amount of scrutiny on umpiring errors when you actually stack them up with errors that the players make during the course of a game.

3. Regardless umpiring is swings and roundabouts - somedays you cop the rough end of the stick and others days you get sevens shots at goal from 50m penalties.

4. The real crisis is the amount of derision and disrespect that umpires are generally treated with at all levels...

My link

Pack of bastards - the whole club should be suspended for the rest of the season.

[Trisul 654]

We should get champion data to publish the umpiring stats fantasy league style.

[Grandson of a gun 276]

1. The AFL and rules committee do the umps no favors by constantly changing rule interpretations.

2. The media put an insane amount of scrutiny on umpiring errors when you actually stack them up with errors that the players make during the course of a game.

3. Regardless umpiring is swings and roundabouts - somedays you cop the rough end of the stick and others days you get sevens shots at goal from 50m penalties.

4. The real crisis is the amount of derision and disrespect that umpires are generally treated with at all levels...

My link

Pack of bastards - the whole club should be suspended for the rest of the season.

That's typical of the Lalor Football Club. They have a shocking history of violence and abuse at all levels.

I believe that the umpires are hamstrung by the rules committee and the crazy interpretations that Geischen hands down. Until you get an ex-player in there as the umpires boss with the balls to tell the umpires not to pay anything but the blatantly obvious, nothing will change.

[wisedog 332]

After watching the World Cup, I realize that every football code has its issues with umpiring. At least in the AFL, a player can't be sent off because of one man's interpretation.

Having said that, the inconsistensies in AFL umpiring is what makes it so infuriating to follow. Going into each game, you really don't know what kind of umpring you're going to get: If they're going to be hot on hands in the back or holding the ball... or if they just decide to pick one out of ten.

As the person with the most influence in that area, I can't understand why Jeff Geischen's position as director of umpiring is put under so little scrutity. Especially since he's held that position for so many years. I don't want to make a scapecoat out of the man, but I really can't recall the umpiring being of such a poor standard.

Edited July 20, 2010 by wisedog