While I fully condemn any abuse of umpires and never engage in it, as distinct from being highly critical and skeptical of many particular rulings, we the fans have every right to dispute, protest and argue the decisions they make. After all, the AFL fans are major financial contributors to the codes' success.
While I am also fully aware of the running ability and fitness levels required to make it as an AFL umpire, they are now very well remunerated. But I'm not even sure that is allowed public knowledge these days. But surely such well-paid AFL employees (in these Covid times where many good people have lost their employment through no fault of their own) must be subject to review and evaluation. Especially when, similarly to the Umpiring Department, the AFL media are also relatively compliant and constrained - no media arm can risk losing affiliation or coverage rights. The AFL makes a powerful and vengeful enemy.
Is the AFL's heavy-handed shut-down of any avenues for umpire critical reviews, assessment, analysis in any public forum entirely guided by the desire to protect them from personal abuse and attacks, or a convenient spin mechanism to stifle any inspection?
Thus providing an almost impervious screen for the AFL to exercise whatever the agendas it may wish to pursue, because 'you cannot have a game without umpires' and 'if the public are allowed to dare criticise their rulings, no-one will be willing to train as an umpire.'
Obviously umpiring interpretations are a matter creating great concern; these can surely be aired and discussed/explained without launching into personal attacks. I think most fans are not into abuse, as distinct from a handful of 'wayward types'. In fact, this might create greater understanding, clarity and reduce the negativity. I remember years ago, SEN had a segment show one evening where an umpire fronted up and explained umpiring decisions and answered listeners' calls (may have been H. Kennedy). Razor Ray seems to do a little of this occasionally now? But there's nothing regular, organised or of substantial quality I can see.
I usually don't even bother with finding out their names. I just want a fair go for our victimised footy side (and all teams overall) and a transparent umpiring system. As it has been allowed to continue with this screening cloak (don't allow any serious spotlight to be shined on the UD!) during the SHocking era of rule changes and very dubious umpiring trends, the game is suffering IMV.
Last edited:
