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Umpires are not picking on Big Barry, rules AFL
By JOHN THIRSK
27may03
THE Swans claimed Barry Hall was getting a raw deal from the umpires but the AFL ruled yesterday the majority of decisions against the full forward were correct and fair.
Sydney coach Paul Roos sent the AFL's director of umpiring Jeff Gieschen a video, asking for clarification on 14 incidents featuring the Swans strongman.
Gieschen said yesterday he had responded to the Swans' inquiries with a letter but maintained Hall had not been hard done by.
"I have responded to the 14 incidents for which Paul asked clarification, and I have given an explanation and interpretation of each incident," Gieschen said.
"He [Roos] just gave us [umpires division] a series of interpretations asking us how we saw the incidents."
Gieschen said statistics had proven that 85 per cent of umpiring decisions in AFL were accurate.
"Umpires are not infallible. They do make mistakes and we are not going to hide behind the decisions.
"There are times when all clubs consider a player [particularly forwards] is not getting free kicks awarded to them.
"Paul's issue is not the first time that a player's attention has been drawn to the umpires."
Gieschen said he would be happy to discuss his letter in a phone hook-up with Roos and even Hall.
In other news at the Swans, injured stars Michael O'Loughlin and Jason Saddington, who have missed the last two matches, ran freely yesterday ? indicating the duo will be fit for the blockbuster against Richmond at the MCG on Saturday.
The enigmatic Daryn Cresswell, a late withdrawal with a torn calf muscle against the Kangaroos on Sunday at Manuka Oval in Canberra, is also expected to return to strengthen the midfield.
The seventh-placed Swans (5-3) and fifth-positioned Tigers (6-3) both dropped two steps on the ladder after defeats at the weekend.
Swans physiotherapist Matt Cameron rated midfielder O'Loughlin (calf muscle) and defender Saddington (quad) 80 per cent chances of getting through training this week.
Brad Seymour is still troubled with a hamstring and is only a 50 per cent chance to travel to Melbourne to play against the Tigers.
By JOHN THIRSK
27may03
THE Swans claimed Barry Hall was getting a raw deal from the umpires but the AFL ruled yesterday the majority of decisions against the full forward were correct and fair.
Sydney coach Paul Roos sent the AFL's director of umpiring Jeff Gieschen a video, asking for clarification on 14 incidents featuring the Swans strongman.
Gieschen said yesterday he had responded to the Swans' inquiries with a letter but maintained Hall had not been hard done by.
"I have responded to the 14 incidents for which Paul asked clarification, and I have given an explanation and interpretation of each incident," Gieschen said.
"He [Roos] just gave us [umpires division] a series of interpretations asking us how we saw the incidents."
Gieschen said statistics had proven that 85 per cent of umpiring decisions in AFL were accurate.
"Umpires are not infallible. They do make mistakes and we are not going to hide behind the decisions.
"There are times when all clubs consider a player [particularly forwards] is not getting free kicks awarded to them.
"Paul's issue is not the first time that a player's attention has been drawn to the umpires."
Gieschen said he would be happy to discuss his letter in a phone hook-up with Roos and even Hall.
In other news at the Swans, injured stars Michael O'Loughlin and Jason Saddington, who have missed the last two matches, ran freely yesterday ? indicating the duo will be fit for the blockbuster against Richmond at the MCG on Saturday.
The enigmatic Daryn Cresswell, a late withdrawal with a torn calf muscle against the Kangaroos on Sunday at Manuka Oval in Canberra, is also expected to return to strengthen the midfield.
The seventh-placed Swans (5-3) and fifth-positioned Tigers (6-3) both dropped two steps on the ladder after defeats at the weekend.
Swans physiotherapist Matt Cameron rated midfielder O'Loughlin (calf muscle) and defender Saddington (quad) 80 per cent chances of getting through training this week.
Brad Seymour is still troubled with a hamstring and is only a 50 per cent chance to travel to Melbourne to play against the Tigers.
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