I was watching a replay of the Geelong v Richmond match today and in the 3rd quarter with 19 mintues still left on the game clock at the centre bounce, Richo collects the umpire on the umpires right shoulder as the ump is reversing out after bouncing the ball. Surely Richo has to be sited by the powers that be in the AFL. It was reckless by Richo! After what went on with Kirk from Sydney are the umps just becoming a bit too precious. They called Kirk's actions reckless. On the couch I cant remeber which oif the three wise monkeys said it, but last year an umpire actully picked up a 'serious spinal injury' from such a contact - does any one know the details about this? But what is becoming of our game, it is so over umpired these days.
I have to say that the umpiring this year (and I know we say this every year) is as worse as it has ever been. I for one do not know when it is OK to punch a ball through for a behind or not, Voss doesn't know what constitutes a head high tackle, the AFL tribunal does not know the answer to that one either, Rocket is confused and hates the rush behind rule, why o' why to we keep on introducing grey rules. The hands in the back rule is now a lottery as is the slinging a man to the ground rule after the contest is finished - judging by the geelong match that appears to be the 1000th of a second after the ball is disposed. And 50 metre penaltys, the game is now littered with them, they are game killers. And all umpires can say is look at the DVD!
So rule makers please listen to the public, and make the rules easier to impliment. I know its a fast game but we can make the rules better. On the weekend I saw an umpire say dropping the ball after a player was tackled from behind and the ball fell to the gound, then in a different match (and in fact in most occasions) the umps call play on and say that the ball was dislodged during the tackle. Can we least have the rules committee clear that one up for us. Last year I saw a dropping the ball decision called when the ball did drop to the ground but the palyer actually kicked it just as it hit the ground, the ump said you didn't kick it before it hit the gound. As far as I know the drop kick is still a valid method of disposal.
And hilst I'm still ranting I wish the umps stopped coaching players on the field. If a player wants to stand here or there then so be it. And Centre bounce free's !!!! Ruckmen are often told that their eyes were not on the ball. There is no where in the rule book that says a free kick can be given away at a Centre bounce if a ruckman glances anywhere else bar the ball - surely it his physical actions that will or will not give a free kick away.
So umps/rules committee - lift ya bloody game !!!!
I have to say that the umpiring this year (and I know we say this every year) is as worse as it has ever been. I for one do not know when it is OK to punch a ball through for a behind or not, Voss doesn't know what constitutes a head high tackle, the AFL tribunal does not know the answer to that one either, Rocket is confused and hates the rush behind rule, why o' why to we keep on introducing grey rules. The hands in the back rule is now a lottery as is the slinging a man to the ground rule after the contest is finished - judging by the geelong match that appears to be the 1000th of a second after the ball is disposed. And 50 metre penaltys, the game is now littered with them, they are game killers. And all umpires can say is look at the DVD!
So rule makers please listen to the public, and make the rules easier to impliment. I know its a fast game but we can make the rules better. On the weekend I saw an umpire say dropping the ball after a player was tackled from behind and the ball fell to the gound, then in a different match (and in fact in most occasions) the umps call play on and say that the ball was dislodged during the tackle. Can we least have the rules committee clear that one up for us. Last year I saw a dropping the ball decision called when the ball did drop to the ground but the palyer actually kicked it just as it hit the ground, the ump said you didn't kick it before it hit the gound. As far as I know the drop kick is still a valid method of disposal.
And hilst I'm still ranting I wish the umps stopped coaching players on the field. If a player wants to stand here or there then so be it. And Centre bounce free's !!!! Ruckmen are often told that their eyes were not on the ball. There is no where in the rule book that says a free kick can be given away at a Centre bounce if a ruckman glances anywhere else bar the ball - surely it his physical actions that will or will not give a free kick away.
So umps/rules committee - lift ya bloody game !!!!
