Macca

You're clutching at straws now, dc haha Deep down you know I'm right but you're unable to switch ... hard to change a habit of a lifetime isn't it?

But of course the umpires will be blamed because blaming the rule-setters isn't very satisfying ... but that's if the ruling isn't clear-cut If they get it right, the storm in the teacup will dissipate quickly Right now, we need to stop talking as spectators ... do we want the players to yap on our behalf? Hmmmm It's up to the players to behave and not overreact over a contentious decision. Otherwise the penalty can be a big one

I know a lot of people who loved Waverley ... a great big ground and some great footy played there as well We obviously move in different circles. Show me someone who didn't like Waverley and I'll show you a blinkered ..... As for accepting the umpires decision, those who transgress will be ridiculed eventually for giving away a needless 50 (and that might happen sooner than people think) I'm tipping that this thread will be an interesting read in a years time ... or even in a few months time Time will tell

There's a connection between how the game is umpired and the possible umpire abuse ... for instance, the abuse might come about from a questionable umpiring decision So nothing can be viewed in isolation in my view ... that's why I brought up the grey areas So you might want to keep it at the dissent/abuse level bit I like broadening arguments so as to explain the big picture As an example, if all the umpiring decisions were absolutely clear-cut, would we have any need to come down on abuse? I'm a great believer in cause and effect ... as well as cutting out all the abuse & 'unnecessary' dissent the league also needs to make the game easier to umpire (with more clearly defined rules) I've suggested doing something about the plethora of high contact frees (which are often soft) but with the new concussion protocols, what are the chances? Apologies for going sideways but that's how I operate In summary, I can't see much changing with regards to the supporter frustration from an overall perspective but the new ruling has my support (as long as we don't get another grey area!)

That's a great story Picket! Good on ya! I played until I dropped but never entertained the thought of umpiring ... and I don't know anyone else that ever did either I've always admired those who chose that path though. To last the distance you'd need a hide as thick as a rhino and a mindset like no other Always remember my first game live ... at the Lake Oval in the late 60's. Demons won but the thing I most remember was the full Police escort surrounding the umpires as they walked out on the ground. There were a total of 5 umpires and about 8 policemen (and a couple of clydesdales) And then the umpire holding the ball aloft in triumphant style! (as if to say ... "I'm in Charge") Not long after the Swans crowd started screaming at the umpire for the entire game (and afterwards) It was non-stop and quite an eye-opener for a young lad! I got out alive

Ha! Just about every rule change introduced over the years has been met with huge waves of derision From the Diamond/Square, interchange, 666, standing still on the mark, 50 metre penalties (before the latest incarnation) 2 umpires then 3 umpires, the original out on the full ruling etc etc Waverley was mocked for years and then became a favourite ... there are numerous other examples If the new rule has the desired effect we'll get used to that as well ... as previously stated, the 50m penalty often results in a goal scoring opportunity so it's a terrific deterrent All the players need to do is keep their emotions in check once or twice a game. How is that a big ask?

I wouldn't be the only one annoyed at the constant abuse of umpires here As previously stated, the amount of time spent here yapping about inconsequential umpiring decisions is mind boggling And lost amongst all the junk are some very intelligent evaluations And you can bet London to a brick that our football department will be hammering home the message to all the players to accept the umpires decisions In a close game, our players need to be highly disciplined towards any umpiring decision That's the new landscape ... like it or lump it

If someone could come up with a blueprint on how the game can be umpired correctly, they would deserve a medal Many here think that I've given up - not so. I genuinely believe the sport has so many grey areas (that will probably remain grey) that it's impossible to get even most of the decisions right Think about GtB, have we not complained in the same way for our entire lives? I stopped in my teens as I could see the futility in it all but most just continue on It's fair to say that the conflict is a huge part of the sport but maybe it needs that conflict to remain highly interesting Save me from what? Having a strong opinion contrary to yours?

One of the contributing factors ... of course lack of available time, fitness levels and numerous other factors could be the reasons as well But honestly, anyone potentially going into the umpiring ranks could easily be put off by the levels of abuse that are there to see (clearly) Tell me something, have you read the game day thread here lately? The torrents of abuse towards the umpires dominates every thread If you wanted to know what was going on in the games you'd have no clue And my gut feel tells me that the real reason the umpiring ranks are so skinny is because of the abuse levels You should be thankful that you only get to read my views on umpiring once a year (for a couple of days)

The correct ground not the high ground If I'm wrong, go ahead and prove it In the meantime, many here will spend the rest of their lives complaining about umpiring decisions and labelling umpires as cheats (read any game day thread) All based on a myth

No, I'm done here You and countless others can have your way ... hope you enjoy all that moaning!! haha Won't get you anywhere ... you may as well be howling at the moon

See my post above (you won't like it) Hey, I've had my yearly beef against the umpire haters ... you can all go back to dominating the game day threads and post match threads (and other, numerous threads) with your torrents of dissatisfaction re the umpiring I won't be reading. Wouldn't waste my time

Who is going to admit that they don't want to be an umpire because of the potential abuse? Truthful answers? I doubt it The numbers aren't real ... it's like the polls in the USA before the 2016 election. Numerous people wouldn't admit that they were going to vote for Trump but did so anyway And he trailed in every poll bar 1 ... often miles behind You need to read between the lines

Breaking point??!! Hysterical much

I'm not arguing against full time umpires What I am saying is that the grey areas will still be there So we'd have total professionals trying to make correct decisions in grey areas that are to say the least, contentious But make them full time as it will help I believe the AFL are going to go hard on dissent & abuse and try and stamp it out So it will remain a big topic especially with the 50m penalty involved But towards the end of the season, we may not see too many indiscretions ... let's face it, in a lot of cases a 50m penalty leads to a shot on goal So dispute the umpires decision and it could easily cost your team a goal So the free kick count per game amounts to about 40-50 per game ... that's about 1 free kick per player, per game Is it asking too much for a player to keep his emotions in check once per game? (on average)

I don't want our players wasting their time talking to an umpire Just get on with it and play the game

And that's a good story and I don't doubt you for a minute ET ... but we do have an issue with the umpiring of the sport (can we make it easier please) And at junior level there has been a huge shortfall of umpires for decades (in other words, the shortfall is not a new thing)

I like your optimism but the grey areas are in abundance. And have been for decades. People were talking about umpires in the same way in the 60's Marking contests, In the back, holding the ball, holding the man, around the neck, ruck contests, chopping of arms, the bump etc etc are all contentious Good luck trying to get all of the above clear-cut. Making the umpires professional will help but the myriad of other issues will remain (unless we change the make-up of the sport)

That would help but what about all the grey areas? That's the real issue but to eliminate all the grey areas you'll get bruise-free footy You really want that?

I have never met a person in my entire life that would ever entertain the thought of umpiring a game of football I wouldn't even bother asking as I know what sort of reaction I'd get. It's a thankless task with not a lot of upside. And I played 50 seasons of sport across 4 sports How many here have ever done it (umpired) on a consisent basis? Close to zero I'd imagine ... and none of us were ever AFL quality standard as footballers As previously stated, fix all the grey areas and you'll solve the problem But do that and you've got AFLX Make the umpires full time and they are still adjudicating on any number of grey areas

As I have said to you on numerous occasions, the umpires are going to make errors in a chaotic sport with more grey areas than a Melbourne winter The sport itself lends itself to any number of interpretations on any number of rules You want perfection, you're not going to get it. You won't even come close

Different sport and appealing to the umpire in cricket is part of the rules In fact, if you don't appeal, the umpire is under no obligation to give a player out I played in a final once where the umpire after the game told us we should have appealed for a bat-pad We lost and the bloke in question made a ton As per the footy, there are going to be teething problems and don't be thinking that I agree with all the 50's handed out But in principle, I agree with the crackdown

I disagree With the odd exception, I reckon players would predominately know what has happened with regards to a free kick decision So for the few times that they do not know, they should learn how to cop it Self discipline is something that all sportspeople should have at the top level

I would have thought it was quite obvious Anyone going into umpiring at any level knows that they are going to cop a torrent of abuse And in this day and age, there aren't nearly as many who are prepared to cop that

So we don't get to find out Why is that a problem? If we respected umpires we'd take their word for it I know I do.... you should do the same