Ouch!

Problem with Mathieson is that he thinks he's beast mode as well, probably refers to himself in the 3rd person when he talks too. NQR AFL standard player, West Coast needs a rebuild, not a re-tool. Go for Devon Robertson.

Just watching AFL360 NHL has a system where the review system can step in after a call that was incorrect, and they can reset the time and the score. That could have worked NFL has a system in place where no decision in the last 2 minutes of a game is made on the field without referring or direct communications with the review system Cricket has the captains call. I also didn't realise there were two other reviews on the weekend that were dubious at best, and yet the 'umpires' call is upheld. It's terrible, and it shouldn't be a scenario where we put the blame on the officials on the ground. That ump made a horrible decision, I feel sorry for the guy, but the rules and the processes should be better around him. If his decision COULD have been overturned he wouldn't be basically out of a job for the remainder of the year.

I'm not totally in agreeance Sue. Inconsistency in a game IS avoidable, it shows that the umpires aren't communicating with each other on the ground, and they can't decide how they intend to interpret the rules. Then you get started on the week to week inconsistencies, and the 'rule of the week' which seems to change each week based on the media bleating. But, the lack of a football boss for this whole season, contributes to thing that could be addressed like the fact that the AFL is basically the only major football code that I can think of in the world that doesn't have professional full time umpires. It contributes to the fact that the ARC system is feels hardly any better than webcam technology, and that it's ridiculous how the field umpire engages WITH ARC, but isn't seemingly able to ask for a review himself, it's only the goal umpires that can request the review, but then the field umpire gives the 'all clear' ... I don't think I was finished with my rant was I :D

Obviously obstructed view of the ball. Oh, and I think the pair of white shoes behind might have been another ump... so perhaps one got in the way of the other.... fair enough play on.

Isn't cost the reason why the AFL hasn't changed the notion of the sub in 2023? In that your sub is effectively dropped each week? They don't want to pay for the development, or something to do with Champion data means that it would need to be 'patched' and the AFL won't pay.

Warning: Incoming Rant: It's not just goal umpring! 4 umps hasn't made umpiring better, it's just made them less fatigued. Decision making hasn't improved with 4 umpires. In fact I think decision making has gotten worse. Boundary umpiring isn't any better, along with the two howlers made with Jeremy Cameron last week, Viney was clearly over the line, in clear sight of the umps, and they didn't blow the whistle and the ground ump called him for holding the ball. But it feels like this is another area where standards are not good at the moment. There are very few AFL umpires that can bounce the ball, and throwing the ball up at stoppages. Seriously why are they throwing the ball out 3-5m out in front of them rather than throwing it directly up in the air and exiting out the back of the contest. Why? Holding the ball is a subjective assessment that varies wildly not just from game to game but within a game... it's terrible. Bite the bullet and make umpiring a full-time profession, pay for ARC technology at all AFL grounds and get a Football operations boss!!!. Only positive umpiring thing I can say at the moment is that David Rodan is still smiling!, and since the dissent rule has all but disappeared so I can't be given a 50m penalty for this rant.

Article below suggests that for Nth to get a first round, the player has to fall within top 5% of rankings, across the AFL. Any club willing to pay that much for McKay is nuts! https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-trades-2020-free-agency-compensation-formula-how-does-it-work-brad-crouch-adelaide-st-kilda-free-agents-details/news-story/538e998849aa96d921d7da512ff8793e Age is a factor too as you say.

Sorry, but Dunstan won't be in unless Viney, Clarrie and Sparrow all spontaneously combust.

... don't forget Laurie can kick more than 30m

Nothing matters except the dollars for the contract that he goes elsewhere for. If it's the 800k+ per season that some people are suggesting (which is laughable) then he could be the pick after the Nth first round pick. That said, I don't think that the AFL 'formula' has done a pick like this for some time, possibly since we got our pick for Frawley, I think the best compensation has been end of 1st round, but not super sure on that. Interestingly heard someone say on SEN today that the Ryley Sanders NGIT bid might be granted to Nth by the AFL, but Nth would still have to bid, and use the appropriate draft pick to secure him (aka current F/S rules, rather than academy rules.) Still not a fan of giving them the free hit.

What is wrong with the AFL's video review system, the quality of the video for replay is pathetic. No clarity, and needs to have a higher framerate for video capture. Melbourne were not the better team on the night, but we could have pinched that game, and we were let down by technology.

Just make sure they throw the ball up, not up and in front of the ump by 5 meters so they don't need to exit the space. Might as well get a boundary umpire to throw it up instead.

Agree 100% Binman, we should have a pool of full-time professional umpires. Don't have a problem with 'extending' their career by allowing it to be less physical, but being full time would improve that aspect too. With luck they might be the only umps to attempt to bounce the ball. The number of failed bounces I experienced over the weekend was laughable. Also, is it just me or are umpires who throw the ball up, seemingly throwing the ball up towards the rucks rather than throwing it directly up in the air and backing away from the throw?

It's interesting that Port has asked the AFL umpires department for clarification after the Geelong game. Decisions went 32-14 against them (or something like that) but one umpire gave 15 decisions against Port Adelaide alone.... thats a huge number of frees. The umpiring at the game wasn't fantastic, however that was the standard as a whole. I will say, 4 umpires is not improving the standards of umpiring, just making it easier for them to cover the areas of the ground.

Interestingly, I see it the opposite, if we are lucky to get Oliver back this week, I see Harmes going out, not JJ. Harmes doesn't seem to be aware of what is happening around him, he throws it on the boot, and sties to break through tackles. JJ is looking for options, and admittedly he had a flat few games earlier in the season, and came back into the team a better player, Harmes hasn', or at least not to the same level. Still think Woewodin was stiff to miss the game, I didn't know if he was up to AFL standard, but he lifted when he made the team,... was a bit sloppy with disposal at the VFL level, but didn't think he's done a lot wrong to date.

My 18 year old daughter was happy that happened too. 😁 ... although secretly I think she would have preferred Viney grabbed Rivers and Sparrow to join him!!

Think I'd prefer to welcome Oliver back into the midfield, and keep Trac up forward for a little longer, at least until we get Fritsch back. Was at the game today, loved what Hibbo gave, us... not so much Harmes, I think Woey was stiff missing given that we had Sparrow coming back. Having Trac take his mark and Kozzie with his goal right in front of the Melbourne cheer squad/supporters was a highlight. ... There was no Nth cheer squad. Finally apparently the crowd was closer to 10k, not the 8k reported. Blundstone not great with technology it appears, but they also diverted anything onto Nth saying it was their issue. (Thought it was ticketek) anyway, good day!

.....and of course a migraine isn't a symptom associated with a concussion related incident.

I hope the AFL goes hard both with a fine (against the soft cap) and with something else. My reasoning is that this is far from an isolated incident with Port. I think they have shown repeatedly to lack a duty of care to their players in regard to concussion. Last year there was a similar issue that was reviewed by the AFL. AFL 2022: Zak Butters, Tom Jonas head knock, concussion debate, Port Adelaide Power v Richmond Tigers, Ken Hinkley, reactions, response (foxsports.com.au) Sam Mayes AFL 2023: Port Adelaide concussion treatment, Sam Mayes head knock, sent back onto ground, SANFL, Aliir Aliir, Cassandra Burton, latest news (foxsports.com.au) Hartlett Power slugged with huge fine over Hartlett head knock (afl.com.au) All of these are very similar in their nature. Tell me another club that has been as scrutinised over concussion related issues as Port. The fact that Kane Cornes is defending the club doctor suggests that the same doc has been in place since he retired. There is something not quite right with the way that they are addressing these incidents on the field. The AFL itself knows that at some point in the future they will be called upon to answer a case against what steps they took to ensure that concussion protocols are adhered to and the steps taken to dissuade clubs from acting against such protocols. Don't think a 50k fine is a deterrent at all.

Haha... sorry is that a typo with St Kilda? sure they played ok today against the Hawks, but they are more likely to go 0-4 than 4-0. But GWS are in form, they could possibly go 4-0, but more realisitically 3-1 or 2-2

Might recall I was a bit hard on nibbler last season, but my criticism was more that his momentum killing was that he gut runs everywhere, created chances, gets on the end of it, but was butchering the ball when kicking for goal. I think he's been a lot better this season, Petracca is the same, they are doing so much running to create the play that when they get a chance to be the final link in the chain they are spent and can't convert.

should be neither....

I wouldn't! Nth don't need a leg up, look at their list. Ryley Sanders is the All Australian Captain. How the hell can any team list a player on their Academy a couple of months prior to the draft. The whole point of the Academies are that these clubs have invested in these players over their junior years. Even by Ryley's own words he has said that Nth have been supportive and said if there is anything they can do they will.... really? thats all it takes to be part of an Academy? Nth's list is no where near as lame as West Coasts, and has players such as Wardlaw, Sheezel, LDU, Powell, Larkey, Phillips, Thomas, Simpkin etc. Giving them free hits in the draft just gives them 18 year old players, if they are given any assistance give them the same compo from last year. Draft currency that they have to trade out for players from other clubs. If McKay goes, they get compensated, they should not be over compensated... Look at their results this year they have been competitive in a lot of their matches, only been flogged by by Melb, Geelong, Port and Brisbane and Adelaide, Break down some of the games that they have lost and they've also been in winning positions. They just need time and a good coaching style.

Seriously Melk, you don't need a hanger over the top, just use your body.

McVee so impressive