HeavendHell on Earth

Disgusted. My first and last post. Like a lot who view this forum, I am a long-time lurker and not a commentator on the daily and weekly proceedings and perceptions of our football club. I don’t know how I came to follow Melbourne because I came from a football family, that is soccer. Probably because Melbourne was a successful team in the 60’s and I was at a young age, I was impressed. Suffice to say the generations after me, due to me, have grown even more fierce in their support and attachment even though I find this hard to believe even now. They are paid members and support the club in other financial ways. They went to the match today, I didn’t partly because you see the close up play better on the screen at home, although you forfeit the atmosphere, player positioning and momentum. Secondly, I can’t stand the Collingwood supporters, who always outnumber the opposition supporters and scream out for decisions they know at best are 50/50 and often are not even there, what’s the term? - “Unsporting like.” The other aspect that repulses me is the silence of the media, a huge and growing industry where the individuals are too timid regarding the consequences of speaking up in regards to contentious issues of umpiring and other issues because of worry for their employment, from their employer. Then that employer is at times in bed with the A.F.L. itself. As a result, for the first time in over sixty-five years I will not listen, go, or see live or via replay a Melbourne match that features Collingwood. I switched it off at half time because I was close to breaking the screen and decided to write this instead. If we win then I can watch a replay. This is my new default position, regarding this particular fixture. What annoys me the most however is that the situation can be improved greatly. We all know how difficult rule interpretations are, especially in our code with its shifting emphasis and complexity and inadequate use of technology. We only have to look at concussion rulings of recent years. It is time the A.F.L. made umpiring into a profession, where at least for a short course umpires are taught to disregard crowd reactions. It is a disgrace, and supporters are right to believe there is conspiracy regarding the powerful and rich and neo baby clubs, in the A.F.L. If there is no conspiracy then we are left with the unsavory hints of corruption and there is already too much in professional sport already. Money breeds it like flies on a cow [censored]. Don’t forget, I saw the game when it was a refined version of the thuggish suburban leagues that surrounded it and where you were lucky to come away without the stench of alcohol spilt on your clothes, (before alcohol free areas). If the A.F.L. professes good causes like the Daniher one, and it professes the family and inclusive charter, there is no room for amateur hour from the media and headquarters, regarding umpiring. I will send this to Brad Green and Andrew Dillon, it is all I can do. If anybody knows their emails, please let me know. Thanks for reading p.s I just found out we lost by a point.