Having read comments from last nights game I cannot get SEN's interview with Hayden Kennedy yesterday by Dwayne Russell out of my mind. Kennedy's assessment of this years umpiring was that it was very good.

Having nearly driven off the road laughing, the first thing that comes to my mind is that the AFL have made this game one of the hardest to umpire of any code in the world, continuously adding interpretations to the rules. I really feel for the umpires as these guys are part time and not only need to maintain a level of fitness but take onboard new rules/interpretations and practice them for matches.

I feel one of the main reasons frees are not paid is the positioning of the ruling umpire. Players have perfected having their backs to the umpires with numerous other players covering throws and some tackles.Why can't the boundary umpires signal an infringement?  Kennedy's comment was that would cause more frees and slow the game down. Not what the AFL wants he said.

How some teams seem to be favoured by umpires upset other club supporters with continual ducking of heads, excessively oiled up arms (guess who), obvious throwing the ball, dropping the ball when tackled and some players tackled and spun 360+ allowed with no penalties. Kennedy's response was if the umpire is not sure play on. There really must be a lot of "not sure" umpires at Geelong, Western Bulldog and West Coast  games. I know all teams get away with some but when games are won with bad decisions you just wonder.

Scragging of forwards and rucks are just part of the game he said and let go but again some teams get a better result than others. Some of the treatments of Max really should be pulled up but with his continual "chatting" to umpires perhaps they overlook his case. We'll never know.

A comment last night on NON MFC Rd 09 2021 of Steve Hocking sitting on the umpires bench on the ground probably not a good look with Geelong playing. Who know's what was said.

I'll say it again that this really is a hard game to umpire and don't understand why the umpires are not professional. Kennedy's response was that some have very professional jobs and would leave. As the game is fully professional it is not acceptable that the AFL have part time umpires who can effect game results. Bit of a stretch but look at Geelong V Brisbane Not saying it was deliberate.

I have sort of combined both decisions going Geelong's way last night (don't they always) and the interview on SEN yesterday and commented on my thoughts of the game being umpired. I appreciate that I might have just scratched the surface as others may have more insight to umpiring for comment. I also know that "it is what it is"  BUT why do some teams always get the better rub of the ball. 

 

 

Regardless of individual games or examples, there are three areas that are inconsistently adjudicated: holding the ball, throwing and whether a kick travels 15 metres.

possibly could add deliberate out-of-bounds to that list ?

I had to search for this thread because today I witnessed how far the current AFL machine (Admin, Umpires & Media) have drifted from the history and fabric of the game.

This was a game where I was a 'neutral'... I picked the Bombers, but, for selfish reasons, I wanted the Hawks to get up. I found myself cursing and hostile over a game in which my beloved Demons were not involved.

Today, Jake Stringer was allowed to get away with the most blatant throw I have ever witnessed. Three umpires saw it and rubber stamped it as fair play. It was a one hand sling that doesn't belong in this great game.

I know there are many debatable disposals in every game, and we should expect a few to go without penalty... but this was so openly blatant that I think it epitomizes the illness that has invaded our code.

The call from above to keep the game moving, the blatant greed of the broadcasters to get goals so they can advertise, the glazed eyes of our adjudicators, who no longer understand or have a feel for the spirit of the game... all of these agents of erosion have joined forces with the result that the great game is corrupted!