The AFL so-called reporters and commentators are too cosy in their privileged bubble. Too beholden to the AFL who can withdraw their media passes in a flash.

Someone of the stature of a Patrick Smith, beyond the reach of the AFL's punishment department, could shine a light on it, as he did in the horse racing game, but he's retired. The only other one I can think of who's prepared to rock the boat is Greg Baum, but he doesn't do it often enough.

7 minutes ago, Mazer Rackham said:

Greg Baum, but he doesn't do it often enough.

Quality journalism and commentary in footy has been sidelined, MR. The days of Greg Baum, Martin Flanagan, Rohan Connolly et al have been surpassed by clickbait AFL-sanctioned twaddle, which is precisely what feeds the MRO populist-driven inconsistency, not to mention a lack of scrutiny on the game’s even bigger failing - umpiring standards. 

34 minutes ago, Webber said:

Quality journalism and commentary in footy has been sidelined, MR. The days of Greg Baum, Martin Flanagan, Rohan Connolly et al have been surpassed by clickbait AFL-sanctioned twaddle, which is precisely what feeds the MRO populist-driven inconsistency, not to mention a lack of scrutiny on the game’s even bigger failing - umpiring standards. 

Your statement can be applied to all media in general not just football media.

Edited August 12, 20214 yr by John Crow Batty

36 minutes ago, Webber said:

Quality journalism and commentary in footy has been sidelined, MR. The days of Greg Baum, Martin Flanagan, Rohan Connolly et al have been surpassed by clickbait AFL-sanctioned twaddle, which is precisely what feeds the MRO populist-driven inconsistency, not to mention a lack of scrutiny on the game’s even bigger failing - umpiring standards. 

This isn't your main point (which I agree with) but I'm not sure it's umpiring standards that have dropped. I think the rules have been over-complicated making it nigh on impossible for the umpires to do the job we want them to do consistently.

The AFL has been gifted an opportunity by Hocking's departure to Geelong to do something to fix both the rules and the MRO/ Tribunal/ Appeal system which Hocking ended up making worse, rather than better.

21 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

I think the rules have been over-complicated

Definitely part of it, and indicative of a lack of investment in making the game better. So many of the changes are reactive. 

I agree the rules are a problem, but surely getting the distance a ball has travelled when a player marks a ball even roughly right says something else is wrong.  Of course there will be some  errors since the umpires are not running around with lasers, but so often the error is enormous and the call seems to depend on context, both location on the ground and the state of the game.

I maintain that the system is very broken when Selwood's deliberate head high bump is given a fine when Greene's act which while reckless was in the act of protecting himself and is done multiple times ever game gets a suspension. Dangerfield (not blaming him) slipped at the worst moment which made the contact to the throat, while Selwood was in control of his actions at all times.

As for Yeo, you have to imagine the floodgates will open up after Viney and the TV cameras will be on the lookout. I hope the club treads carefully, but we should be well within our rights to ask for clarification on what Jack did that was different to other cases.

Edited August 13, 20214 yr by Pates

AFL House. The phone rings.

Gil McLachlan answers. "Yep."
Voice at other end: "It's Gary Pert, Gil."
GM: "Yep."
GP: "About the Viney thing, Gil. I--"
GM: "Just going over next year's draw. Two away games in Perth, 2 in Adelaide, 2 in Sydney, 2 in Brisbane, 1 in Geelong, 2 in Tassie, home games in NT, and a home game against Port in China. Of course nothing's set in concrete yet."
GP: *gulp* "Yeah, well, we wouldn't want to cop a draw like that. But on the Viney thing--"
GM: "How's the weather down there in Hobart, anyway? It's beautiful here in Melbourne today."
GP: "But I'm not in Hobart. I'm here in Melbourne too."
GM: "Let's keep it that way, eh? Was there anything else?"
GP: *sigh* "No, Gil."

Wouldn't that be fairly close to the interchange area? No camera footage from there hey?

Gaff out this weekend with a hand injury. Will Sparrow be cited for necking his hand? 

22 minutes ago, John Crow Batty said:

Gaff out this weekend with a hand injury. Will Sparrow be cited for necking his hand? 

I read that as "pecking" his hand. Maybe that's my mind thinking that "pecking" is the logical verb to follow on from the word "Sparrow".