Darren Goldspink

[Charlie]

Didn't cost us the match (our kicking did that), but another typical Goldspink performance.

What do we have to do to get this malignant blight on the game sacked?

[Glenn]

Hmmm maybe we can get (insert whatever player you want) to take him out in a game so both get lengthy holidays

[Jeffers1984]

his mates were just as bad

[liz]

Didn't really think the umpiring had any impact. There were a couple of questionable decisions but in both directions and none that really influenced the outcome.

Maxfield's HOTB was a bit harsh but Bevan should have had one against him just moments earlier.

[footyhead]

He got them back in the game in the 2and with 2 gimme frees in the f50.

[SXP]

I agree Liz, we shouldn't blame the umps four our woefull performance.

[Glenn]

Enough stuff ups to lose a season of games by Sydney, however Goldstink & Co. didn't help matters

[Charlie]

Not blaming them for the loss, as I made clear in the opening post.

Does a game have to be determined by umpires before we can highlight their unacceptable performances? I don't think so.

[liz]

Originally posted by Charlie
Not blaming them for the loss, as I made clear in the opening post.

Does a game have to be determined by umpires before we can highlight their unacceptable performances? I don't think so.

No, but what decisions did you think were poor? Even the line ball ones were probably there, the Roos didn't seem to get more of the marginal ones than we did, and I don't recall any clear one's that weren't paid.

I enjoy a bit of umpire-bashing as much as the next person but can't really see an excuse to do so this week.

[Charlie]

Ack, Liz... you like putting people on the spot, don't you?

The Maxfield decision is the one that looms large in my mind. There were a couple earlier in the match. Can't recall who the players involved were.

It's always one or two crucial decisions at crucial points in the match. Funnily enough, when the result isn't in doubt, he makes consistent decisions.

[floppinab]

24 frees to 10,

says it all really

[liz]

Originally posted by floppinab
24 frees to 10,

says it all really

But it doesn't, if all those frees were warranted, no obvious ones were missed and the 50/50 ones were consistently awarded.

Essendon fans are the worst at thinking that just because they continually get fewer free kicks than the opposition they've been done over by the umps - not that they play dirty football and are frequently second to the contest.

I hope Swans fans don't fall into the same trap (not that we play dirty football).

[Charlie]

We have our share of players who play dumb football - Bevo and Schneider come to mind - and get pinged as a result.

I don't think that adequately explains it, though. The Goodes 50m penalty was a perfect example (can't remember if it was Goldspink who was responsible). It was an accident, and Goodes immediately tried to point that out... but no, they can't see common sense!

[liz]

Originally posted by Charlie
We have our share of players who play dumb football - Bevo and Schneider come to mind - and get pinged as a result.

I don't think that adequately explains it, though. The Goodes 50m penalty was a perfect example (can't remember if it was Goldspink who was responsible). It was an accident, and Goodes immediately tried to point that out... but no, they can't see common sense!

The Goodes' 50m was reasonable in my eye. Goodes was barely in the marking contest and then fell on the back of the Roos defender after he had cleanly taken the mark. I'd have been cheesed off if colours had been reversed and we hadn't got one.

Bevan and Schneider are interesting cases. To a slight degree they can be excused by inexperience - ie you'll cut them a little more slack than you would a senior player.

But one of the downsides of having so many players running around in the twos pressing for selection is that the younger players in the senior team are likely to try to hard to impress to ensure that they are the ones not to make way. They'll be aware than once they are out of the team it will be hard to get back in.

That probably contributes to their poor judgement at times - ie they're trying to do too much.

The situation needs careful coaching. It needs to be impressed upon them that they won't lose their place if they do the basic, team things, even if it mean they miss out on the highlights reel.

[BonBon]

Some awful decisions from him. The whole pub made a racket.