Was it just me, or was one umpire particularly extravagant in his signs? He was No. 12, I think it was D. Sully. Whenever he paid a free kick, he would lean back so far he was nearly falling, and then proceed to do a textbook free kick sign, with the most effort you have ever seen. Example, when there a was a holding the man decision, he leaned back to the perpendicular, and tugged his shirt so hard that it came out of his shorts. When there was a push in the back, he made the pushing motion so hard, he lost his balance and nearly fell over.

He called for more free-kicks than any other of the umps, and I think it was just because he wanted to give the signals. Their job is to officiate the game so that rules are obided by, not to entertain themselves or make themselves the stars.

Did anyone else see it?

Was it just me, or was one umpire particularly extravagant in his signs? He was No. 12, I think it was D. Sully. Whenever he paid a free kick, he would lean back so far he was nearly falling, and then proceed to do a textbook free kick sign, with the most effort you have ever seen. Example, when there a was a holding the man decision, he leaned back to the perpendicular, and tugged his shirt so hard that it came out of his shorts. When there was a push in the back, he made the pushing motion so hard, he lost his balance and nearly fell over.

He called for more free-kicks than any other of the umps, and I think it was just because he wanted to give the signals. Their job is to officiate the game so that rules are obided by, not to entertain themselves or make themselves the stars.

Did anyone else see it?

I have no issue with the umps when we lost the game for ourselves fair and square. Yes some bad decisions but no more than useral and we blame ourselves not the umps

Umpiring yesterday was first rate. Blame MFC players' stupidity for the lopsided free-kick count.

HUN article by Derek H-S today completely explains my grief with the current umpiring interpretations, however yesterday they were fine.

Was it just me, or was one umpire particularly extravagant in his signs?

Yes, I did notice it.

Couldn't help but simply laugh at the bloke. Billy Bowden might be able to get away with theatrics in cricket but I don't think we need AFL umpires trying to follow suit.

He is one of the umpires that has risen through the VFL and was loved by Phil Cleary - do I need to go on?

The centre square bouncing is something that continues to be an issue in my eyes! Get it right or just throw the thing up - it is a blight on our game!!

The umpiring yesterday was again consistent - consistently woeful!!

Yes, I did notice it.

Couldn't help but simply laugh at the bloke.

yep, i noticed it too.

I say bring it on. It was the only entertainment I enjoyed at yesterday game.

They wear white and run backwards for a reason.

Anyone seen the video email of the soccer referre that thinks he is Barishnakov? They alll have a bit of this in them. Its Flair for umpires, they dont get to do handstands or celebrate goals like the players do so they bring some melodrama to their signalling.

Billy Bowden has even destroyed the genlteman's game with it.

they are trying to be film stars and as important as the players....

what is the best umpired match of the year?

Australia V England the other night.

2 massive LBW shouts against Gilchrist and Hayden early in the innings refused when they were plumb, well one at least. Against the poms. you gotta love it

yep definately saw that.

Have to agree that umpiring had nothing to do with the result, bad decisions both ways all over the ground.

On a seperate note its becoming an incredibly soft game as more and more umpires wish to become "actors" in the game and draw themselves into the spotlight with the players.

Its like those useless umpires which direct the players to "get it out" or "eyes on the ball". Shut up you [censored] maggot, uve likely never played and you are payed to adjudicate not coach (........end overly exited rant.)

I finally got Foxtel on Wednesday and got to watch every match over the weekend. The umpiring on Monday was dead set awful. It was by far the worst out of the weekends games.

This is no excuse for our loss or the way we played. That was worse than the umpiring.

Oh, I had no problem with the umpiring itself. I thought they actually were very good and made very little bad decisions, except for perhaps the Rivers one. I just don't like to see that sort of flamboyance from umpires, I just get worried they're not concentrating on the game, rather their own satisfaction.