Mazer Rackham

And get in an umpires director who thinks their job is to oversee a high standard of refereeing and doesn't think they're some kind of entertainment consultant trying to make the game more attractive to channel 7 executives.

Hey Danger, how about, don't penalise your team mates by getting rubbed out during the finals.

I don't blame Stevic. I think he could have been more direct ... eg " yeah, he came right at me and straight out shoved me. I was stunned at his blatant disrespect". But he knows that he could have reported Greene, only to have Christian undermine him, or the tribunal, all to the soundtrack of media "experts" caterwauling that the umpires treat the players like kiddies, they've gone too far, they're too big for their boots, etc. The AFL have let their umpires down for a long time. The nonsense about calling players by their first names, telling them when they are about to break a rule ... give me a break. Stevic should have said "I don't want to hear it. If you've got something to say, send your captain over to say it." instead of this "I turned around to explain to him ..." You don't have to explain anything. You blow the whistle when you see a free and you call play on when it's play on. End. This has been coming, and the AFL have let it evolve. It's on them, not Stevic.

No wonder he got head butted. Shoulda stuck to playing the old joanna.

Oh yeah! ♪ All by myself ♫ ... Hungry Eyes ♫ ... jeez, he got around. Headbutting an umpire? That's America, I suppose.

I keep thinking of his game against the Swans last year (and by no co-incidence, it was hist last game of the year) where he was off the pace and a liability. Maybe he's still up to it, and maybe he isn't, but Jesus Christ, the Grand Final is not the place or time to find out.

"TOMMY ARE YOU THERE?" "I'm in the rooms 'Arry. I'm talking wif Mike Fitzpatrick, Harry. I fink it's Mike Fitzpatrick ... he's got the number 3 on 'is back. Only it's on a duffel coat. 'E's a lot smaller than I remember, 'Arry, an' 'e's got blonde 'air, an' 'e's a girl." The AFL should go scorched earth on this, and should have long before this Greene incident. Heppell should have been cited, and let off, just to send a message. Neale should have got a week, just to send a message. There should have been no controversy over the Greene incident. Automatic 6 weeks and no media chatter because the line in the sand had already been drawn. But the AFL have no concept of "precedent".

But on the other hand, it's They're thinking: "But it's "

If it was Tommy Bugg they would have told him to stay in bed and then posted him his torn-up registration papers.

GUILTY!

2 hours and 40 minutes. That strikes me as ridiculously overblown. The AFL going all legalistic in their tribunal hasn't made things any better.

Anyone remember Jonesey's last game last year? It looked like being his last one ever. Kicked straight to the oppo, goal, momentum busted, loss. Who would like to see him do that in a grand final? It looked like a ignominious end of career for Nathan, but to the club's credit, they got him over the line for 300 and a dignified end. We're on the verge of ending 57 years of pain. Let's not jeopardise that for the sake of one man.

18.8.2 Free Kicks - Umpires A field Umpire shall award a Free Kick against a Player or Official who: (a) uses abusive, insulting, threatening or obscene language towards an Umpire; (b) behaves in an abusive, insulting, threatening or obscene manner towards an Umpire; (c) intentionally, unreasonably or carelessly makes contact with an Umpire; (d) disputes a decision of an Umpire; (e) fails to follow the instruction of an Umpire; or (f) intentionally or carelessly engages in conduct which affects, interferes with or prevents an Umpire from performing their duties. Not "might", not "at their discretion" ... SHALL. The remedy is right there in the rule book. Why the umps pick and choose which rules to enforce beats me. Further evidence that successive umpires' directors have taken their eye off the ball.

On one hand it's schadenfreude to see this happen to Essendon. On the other hand, what the Dogs get away with is a blight on the game. Some good may come of this, because Essendon's whinge power is considerable ... they have plenty of clout at AFL house, so some behind the scenes "approaches" may be made, which in turn might refocus the AFL's attention. Fairy tale endings (Dogs in GF) are one thing, but a powerhouse club in the GF ($$$$$$) is another.

They've never added up. It's a zero-sum game as you as clearly aware, but the published numbers have never added up when I've checked them. They're always out by a small number. But I figure it doesn't change the big picture much.

Dear oh dear. These poor Essendon boys haven't scored a goal this half. How upsetting. And they timed their run to the finals so nicely too.

No argument but he's rubbing salt into the EFC wounds which just makes this weekend that little bit more sweet.

Mitch Hannan. Still doing the right thing by Melbourne.

Oh, hell. It looks like those nice boys from Windy Hill are going to go down to the horrible Footscray team. So long since they've won any final. And they've had more scoring shot s and everything.

Oh, goodness. Those poor Essendon supporters will be furious!

Oh right. I used to call him "the little (something else)". Thank you for the correction!

I always used to wonder what Garyablettjunior's first name was Mr Eddiebetts is another in that exclusive club

I couldn't handle all the sh*t that would go with an EFC charge at the flag. It would be great to snuff them out on GF day but I'd rather they just fade away today as if they'd never made the 8 at all.

Last quarter with 17:00 to go. And some replays shortly after.

Is it really "respect" for the umpires, or is it appropriate boundaries between the players and the people refereeing them? I don't think rugby players "respect" the umpires so much as they know that where the boundary is, and what will happen quick bloody smart if they go over it. I don't think the umpires should be talking to the players, calling them by their first names, "coaching" them not to infringe in certain instances ... the players should know the rules of the game they've spent their lives playing. It should be whistles and "play on" only. Like in soccer, where as a true world game there are language issues. Imagine a Danish referee trying to tell a Japanese player "foot on the line ... foot on the line ..." I also think if the players want to be treated as adults, they should not behave like petulant teenagers, moaning and sooking to the umps (Selwood and Riewoldt spring immediately to mind, they are far from being the only ones). The AFL have been negligent in the officiating in many areas and they have allowed this to evolve. If they don't clamp down hard on Greene they can look forward to more of the same.