Jump to content

Featured Replies

As another poster said, I think it just comes down to the way they play. There was some poor free kicks yesterday, but they have a habit of playing in front and they are usually the team being chased. 

 
37 minutes ago, AllMyTeamsAreWank said:

As another poster said, I think it just comes down to the way they play. There was some poor free kicks yesterday, but they have a habit of playing in front and they are usually the team being chased. 

That may be true but it doesn't account for some of the non-free kicks to Sydney that I witnessed yesterday for things that were awarded free kicks to the Bulldogs. Admittedly I was wearing a one eyed Sydney hat so that could explain my outrage.

The number of blatant throws that were not paid yesterday was amazing - so much so I started to focus on where the umpires were relative to contested ball

 

I agree however we've had an OK run this year I reckon - other teams will point to Spargo (ducking) Oliver (throwing) etc 

Dogs can do what they want but they can't handle pressure when teams like us bring it, they fall to pieces

11 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

I'm not buying the conspiracies. 

I reckon it's a number of factors:

1. Nice guys:
Some of their best players - Macrae, Bont etc are nice guys and fair players. Compared with some of ours - Gawn used to give the umps a serve, Oliver was awful - you get the umpires onside or off by your behaviour, that's human nature.

2. The Duckers and divers:
Lachie Hunter is the number 1 transgressor. Weightman's not a bad prototype. McLean an all time classic. We have Spargo but that's about it.

3. Aggressive zone defending. The Dogs backline often play in front and pretty much play as the forwards. That means they get the free kicks for pushes in the back or chop of the arms and also means they don't give away the same free kicks by playing from behind. Someone like Lever will always have a better for/against than Steven May, just from the way they play and the Dogs whole side is more like Lever.

I think the main one for us to take from them is to be more professional and respectful to the umps. Gawn has matured in that way and probably gets looked after a bit better now - although not nearly as well as he should. Oliver and even Petracca can probably improve a lot there.

I would detest Spargo if he played for another side.  He throws his head back every time he is tackled.

Only consolation would be Spargs receiving a free kick to win a grand final fŕom staging against Hunter or the faux tough guy from Brisbane who can't kick.

These head thrower-backerers and knee benderers really get my goat. Except Spargo. (Apart from the times he throws his head back. That really annoys me)


12 hours ago, A F said:

I really hate the way they play. Not only do they throw it most times, the way they constantly milk free kicks, some will say it's clever, I don't like it.

Either do I.

Hunter and Daniel match Selwood for ducking.

Both again got frees for it yesterday.

Commentators just laugh.

Libba's throw was a beauty.

Also loved Daniel running about 35 metres without a bounce from a kick out. Hilarious. Then the umpires call an 8 meter kick 15. So what do they think Daniel's run was?

In 2016 Beveridge defended the umpires after a game against Adelaide where they won the free kick tally 28-12, which included Troy Pannell awarding 17 to the Bulldogs and 1 to Adelaide. They have had a charmed run since about that time. The 2016 GF was also a magnificent display of umpiring.

13 hours ago, praha said:

I swear this has been the case since I was a kid. Still have nightmares of a match in 94 at the MCG when Iligia Grgic would get a free kick at pretty much every ruck contest. 

Woulda been against Schwartz. Him and Crackers most ever umpired against players. Ox especially 

 

There is something to be said for being ahead of the curve in terms of what the umpires are really focusing on, and being able to disguise things so you don't get caught as often. 

Not sure how they get away with the throws though, the Umpires definitely know they do it. they just seem to get a free pass. 

The bulldogs are a bit touched at the moment, not only did they get the No 1 pick in the draft for basically a couple of second round picks, they also have a Father/Son Luke Darcy kid that looks like he will slot nicely into a future forward line, again they will get him for unders.

 


  • Author
5 hours ago, AllMyTeamsAreWank said:

As another poster said, I think it just comes down to the way they play. There was some poor free kicks yesterday, but they have a habit of playing in front and they are usually the team being chased. 

"The team being chased"????  They had less possessions than the Swans. You don't get chased when you haven't got the ball.

4 hours ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

I agree however we've had an OK run this year I reckon - other teams will point to Spargo (ducking) Oliver (throwing) etc 

Dogs can do what they want but they can't handle pressure when teams like us bring it, they fall to pieces

throwing the ball has become endemic in the game. either the super quick throw off the toes simultaneous with ball contact or the many dubious over the head etc throws.

the problem really is that these throws are so fast the umpires are either unsighted or don't have slomo vision.

i would love the afl to have a scientific forensic study of video archives to properly analyse this issue but i don't think the afl care or have a solution. all they want is continuous flow regardless of rules. this is also why scrimmages are allowed to go on and on and why players with the ball and no prior are given endless time to get rid of the ball.

it may be the only solution is to admit defeat and l throwing to be legal....but only if it is a two-handed throw (i.e. no nfl style throwing 

what do posters think?

6 minutes ago, daisycutter said:

throwing the ball has become endemic in the game. either the super quick throw off the toes simultaneous with ball contact or the many dubious over the head etc throws.

the problem really is that these throws are so fast the umpires are either unsighted or don't have slomo vision.

i would love the afl to have a scientific forensic study of video archives to properly analyse this issue but i don't think the afl care or have a solution. all they want is continuous flow regardless of rules. this is also why scrimmages are allowed to go on and on and why players with the ball and no prior are given endless time to get rid of the ball.

it may be the only solution is to admit defeat and l throwing to be legal....but only if it is a two-handed throw (i.e. no nfl style throwing 

what do posters think?

NO!

Just now, Redleg said:

NO!

i never said i liked it, red.

but it's happening and won't go away. they'll never bring in video reviews.

so what is your solution?

Pick umpires who know the difference between a handball and a throw and are professional enough to pay what they see.


1 minute ago, Redleg said:

Pick umpires who know the difference between a handball and a throw and are professional enough to pay what they see.

i wish

they don't exist.......even i can't always tell these days without the aid of video.....some apparent throws are actually technically handballs and some seemingly valid handballs turn out to be throws

i'm afraid the players have got too good and quick at disguising it......and we keep seeing more and more throws.......and you, me and many others get more incensed

 

4 minutes ago, daisycutter said:

i wish

they don't exist.......even i can't always tell these days without the aid of video.....some apparent throws are actually technically handballs and some seemingly valid handballs turn out to be throws

i'm afraid the players have got too good and quick at disguising it......and we keep seeing more and more throws.......and you, me and many others get more incensed

 

I am happy to allow throws that look like handballs to most observers, as that is the way sport is umpired. They can't see everything and get every decision right. I am more concerned at blatant incorrect decisions, like ducking, push in the back, htb etc.

17 minutes ago, daisycutter said:

it may be the only solution is to admit defeat and l throwing to be legal....but only if it is a two-handed throw (i.e. no nfl style throwing 

what do posters think?

The custodians of the game would be surrendering to the coaches if they made throwing legal.

The AFL had no problem going scorched earth on deliberate OOB. Why they are so timid on throwing beats me.

The rules say "Handball: the act of holding the football in one hand and disposing of it by hitting it with the clenched fist of the other hand." The umpires can say "I didn't see you holding the ball in one hand, so, illegal disposal." OR "I didn't see you hitting it with a clenched fist, so, illegal disposal."

The umpires department has adopted a bleeding heart approach that every time a legal handball gets penalised as a throw, then a puppy dies. So we have to be lenient. They should do it the other way. Scorched earth. So what if an occasional handball gets mistaken for a throw. (Umpires have never been perfect and never will be.) Anything that even resembles a throw should be penalised. Watch the players clean up their act within one round of football.

4 minutes ago, Redleg said:

I am happy to allow throws that look like handballs to most observers, as that is the way sport is umpired. They can't see everything and get every decision right. I am more concerned at blatant incorrect decisions, like ducking, push in the back, htb etc.

well, i suppose like most things, the afl won't do anything about it until tyhey can admit it is a problem. which they won't do without irrefutable proof.

that is why i said previously that i'd like to see a scientific forensic analysis of real footage to quantify the issue (one way or the other). ideally the afl would undertake this but any group like champion data, ch7, sen etc could do this.

3 minutes ago, Redleg said:

I am happy to allow throws that look like handballs to most observers, as that is the way sport is umpired. They can't see everything and get every decision right. I am more concerned at blatant incorrect decisions, like ducking, push in the back, htb etc.

It now seems it is legal to ride a play to the ground and roll around on his back.

I swear there were 30-40 incidences of this in the seconds game I went to on Saturday and as for pushing in the back as the player kicks the ball I have never seen this relayed down field. It seems the only way a push in the back is awarded these is the most blatant push when going for a mark.

Holding in the ruck! The Werribee Ruckmen held Daw on ever occasion. Not one free all day.


Maybe just throw the throwing rule out and let players throw the ball but can only use one hand and throw below the shoulders. No above the shoulder quarterback style throwing allowed. I suspect there will be better ball movement and we won’t see as much congestion as it reduces the opportunity to lock a ball into a tackle. Will be a lot easier rule to enforce as well. I know it is a radical proposal but the the handball rule now is a total farce and a corruption of the initial intent. 

Edited by John Crow Batty

4 minutes ago, Mazer Rackham said:

The custodians of the game would be surrendering to the coaches if they made throwing legal.

The AFL had no problem going scorched earth on deliberate OOB. Why they are so timid on throwing beats me.

The rules say "Handball: the act of holding the football in one hand and disposing of it by hitting it with the clenched fist of the other hand." The umpires can say "I didn't see you holding the ball in one hand, so, illegal disposal." OR "I didn't see you hitting it with a clenched fist, so, illegal disposal."

The umpires department has adopted a bleeding heart approach that every time a legal handball gets penalised as a throw, then a puppy dies. So we have to be lenient. They should do it the other way. Scorched earth. So what if an occasional handball gets mistaken for a throw. (Umpires have never been perfect and never will be.) Anything that even resembles a throw should be penalised. Watch the players clean up their act within one round of football.

i sorta half agree with this........err on the side of caution.....if it looks like a throw it's a throw

but they seem to show no inclination to get tough....in fact quite the opposite

again, why i would like to see some forensic evidence.....to quantify the problem

24 minutes ago, Redleg said:

Pick umpires who know the difference between a handball and a throw and are professional enough to pay what they see.

If only the world and football were as simple as you're making it out to be ... 

 
6 minutes ago, Smokey said:

If only the world and football were as simple as you're making it out to be ... 

Yes it’s a unicorn hunt.

its shaky ground for us dees supporters to call out other teams for throws and ducks when we have oliver, harmes, ANB (throws) & kozzy & spargo (ducks).. like others have said, its unfortunatley 'part of the game' now and everyone seems to be doing it. for what its worth, i'd rather lose a game than win that way.


Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

Featured Content

  • PREVIEW: Carlton

    Good evening, Demon fans and welcome back to the Demonland Podcast ... it’s time to discuss this week’s game against the Blues. Will the Demons celebrate Clayton Oliver’s 200th game with a victory? We have a number of callers waiting on line … Leopold Bloom: Carlton and Melbourne are both out of finals contention with six wins and eleven losses, and are undoubtedly the two most underwhelming and disappointing teams of 2025. Both had high expectations at the start of participating and advancing deep into the finals, but instead, they have consistently underperformed and disappointed themselves and their supporters throughout the year. However, I am inclined to give the Demons the benefit of the doubt, as they have made some progress in addressing their issues after a disastrous start. In contrast, the Blues are struggling across the board and do not appear to be making any notable improvements. They are regressing, and a significant loss is looming on Saturday night. Max Gawn in the ruck will be huge and the Demon midfield have a point to prove after lowering their colours in so many close calls.

      • Clap
      • Like
    • 0 replies
  • REPORT: North Melbourne

    I suppose that I should apologise for the title of this piece, but the temptation to go with it was far too great. The memory of how North Melbourne tore Melbourne apart at the seams earlier in the season and the way in which it set the scene for the club’s demise so early in the piece has been weighing heavily upon all of us. This game was a must-win from the club’s perspective, and the team’s response was overwhelming. The 36 point win over Alastair Clarkson’s Kangaroos at the MCG on Sunday was indeed — roovenge of the highest order!

      • Love
      • Thanks
      • Like
    • 4 replies
  • CASEY: Werribee

    The Casey Demons remain in contention for a VFL finals berth following a comprehensive 76-point victory over the Werribee Tigers at Whitten Oval last night. The caveat to the performance is that the once mighty Tigers have been raided of many key players and are now a shadow of the premiership-winning team from last season. The team suffered a blow before the game when veteran Tom McDonald was withdrawn for senior duty to cover for Steven May who is ill.  However, after conceding the first goal of the game, Casey was dominant from ten minutes in until the very end and despite some early errors and inaccuracy, they managed to warm to the task of dismantling the Tigers with precision, particularly after half time when the nominally home side provided them with minimal resistance.

      • Thanks
    • 0 replies
  • PREGAME: Carlton

    The Demons return to the MCG as the the visiting team on Saturday night to take on the Blues who are under siege after 4 straight losses. Who comes in and who goes out?

      • Thanks
    • 222 replies
  • PODCAST: North Melbourne

    The Demonland Podcast will air LIVE on Monday, 14th July @ 8:00pm. Join Binman & I as we dissect the Dees glorious win over the Kangaroos at the MCG.
    Your questions and comments are a huge part of our podcast so please post anything you want to ask or say below and we'll give you a shout out on the show.
    Listen LIVE: https://demonland.com/

      • Thanks
      • Like
    • 29 replies
  • POSTGAME: North Melbourne

    The Demons are finally back at the MCG and finally back on the winners list as they continually chipped away at a spirited Kangaroos side eventually breaking their backs and opening the floodgates to run out winners by 6 goals.

      • Haha
      • Love
      • Thanks
      • Like
    • 255 replies