Umpires

[Rizzo]

To be honest, the umpiring in the TAC final was the best I've seen this year. The GF call was pretty fair....at least the didn't blow the whistle that much.

[Nico]

They always let it go in a GF.

[FredFlintstone]

Yes i was quite suprised of the umpiring at the Grand Final, did anyone from either team get pinged for 'Holding The Ball' at any stage thoughout the game?(sorry i can't recall, still beaming with excitment and emotion)

[Mike_B]

Originally posted by FredFlintstone
Yes i was quite suprised of the umpiring at the Grand Final, did anyone from either team get pinged for 'Holding The Ball' at any stage thoughout the game?(sorry i can't recall, still beaming with excitment and emotion)

I commented last night that I didn't see a single Holding the Ball free paid all day. They did the right thing as far as the packs were concerned - there didn't seem to be any case where the ball was dragged back in without a couple of extra hands on it at the same time holding it in, and even when tackles were laid after a few seconds with ball in hand, there was a correct disposal that followed.

[Agent 86]

Originally posted by Nico
However we were let off the hook when Judd was not given that mark in the goalsquare.

I thought the replay showed he never really controlled the footy. Right decision (IMHO).

[Bleed Red Blood]

Originally posted by Agent 86
I thought the replay showed he never really controlled the footy. Right decision (IMHO).

Agreed.

[swans85]

3 Finals with Goldspink and all wins!

Is he our lucky charm?

Seriously they did well on Saturday

[swansrock4eva]

Yep I was VERY impressed with them. Nicely done umps, and thank you for not having an influence on the biggest day of the year

[giant]

Comfortably the best umpiring performance of the year. The AFL got it right God bless 'em.

"So, I have this dream where the Swans win the GF and our best players include LRT, Fossy & Ben Matthews. And Mclaren and Goldspink are fair to the point of almost being nice to us. Doctor, what is wrong with me?"

[Jeffers1984]

Easily the best umpiring i have seen all year.

Goldspink you are a star now

[Newbie]

Originally posted by Jeffers1984
Easily the best umpiring i have seen all year.

Goldspink you are a star now

.... until round 1, 2006 .

[Jeffers1984]

Originally posted by Newbie
.... until round 1, 2006 .

True, But i will love him again if we make the 2006 finals series

[Mike_B]

I liked the way Goldspink told Kirk after his diving mark late in the last quarter "Don't worry, I've called time on, so if you've got cramp, just take your time; if you don't, go back and take your kick". Also noticed a little earlier in the last quarter he gave a little word of encouragement/advice to a boundary umpire on the Southern Wing, something along the lines of "big throw now mate".

[SimonH]

While we were down 17-16 in the net frees, we actually got the better end of the umpiring in the sense that:
? we got 2 goals from free kicks (both of which were there, but I've certainly seen worse not paid), whereas so far as I recall Weagles got nil
? the 'push in the back' free kick to Jolly at a ruck contest on the wing in the final quarter (which frankly wasn't there) led to BBBH's goal (IIRC)
? the soft 50 metre penalty to Goodes in the dying minutes was potentially crucial.

However, not even the most rabid WCE supporter could claim that the umpiring cost them the game. In particular:
? Both of our free kicks from goals were in the first quarter, and the subsequent tempo of the game was largely dictated by the scoreboard (i.e. the game would have panned out very differently if they hadn't been paid)
? Gardiner posted a sitter from a free in the 1st quarter at a point in the match when he could have given them a very dangerous early lead (IIRC they would've been up 21-6 if he'd converted, whereas it transpired they didn't even reach 21 by half time)
? Jolly made the most of his good luck in milking that last-quarter free, whereas WCE got a few around the middle of the ground that they failed to turn into goals.
? The Goodes 50 metre penalty wound up working in the Weagles' favour-- his behind meant that they got possession back again rapidly.

The umps really put the whistle away after half-time, which in the context of the match was definitely the right decision. No-one deliberately dived on it and failed to get it out, so no in-pack holding the balls, which is as it should be.

I don't know about anyone else, but I can't stand to look at the picture of Leo's mark b/c Keneally has a hold of Sampi's jumper, and I feel almost sick thinking of what might have been if a free kick was paid. LRT's admission/boast that he 'shepherded' out a couple of Weagles players makes it even worse!

However, even though this picture reveals the jumper hold just as badly, I love it because the expression on Nic Fosdike's face is priceless. Just says it all.

[floppinab]

Originally posted by SimonH
While we were down 17-16 in the net frees, we actually got the better end of the umpiring in the sense that:
? we got 2 goals from free kicks (both of which were there, but I've certainly seen worse not paid), whereas so far as I recall Weagles got nil
? the 'push in the back' free kick to Jolly at a ruck contest on the wing in the final quarter (which frankly wasn't there) led to BBBH's goal (IIRC)
? the soft 50 metre penalty to Goodes in the dying minutes was potentially crucial.

However, not even the most rabid WCE supporter could claim that the umpiring cost them the game. In particular:
? Both of our free kicks from goals were in the first quarter, and the subsequent tempo of the game was largely dictated by the scoreboard (i.e. the game would have panned out very differently if they hadn't been paid)


? Gardiner posted a sitter from a free in the 1st quarter at a point in the match when he could have given them a very dangerous early lead (IIRC they would've been up 21-6 if he'd converted, whereas it transpired they didn't even reach 21 by half time)

Fair post, and to the majority of Eagles supporters credit, haven't seen too much bleating from them BUT,

if we were on the receiving end of those frees and lost the game I can't help think of what, at least I know what I would've been screaming on about.

Jolly's in the first quarter was 50/50 at best, Cox got him pretty much in the side, couldn't really call that in the back. I thought Halls was there. Pretty ironic though to get two scoring shots from frees in the GF compared to 1 combined from the first three finals.