Biggest Whingers in the AFL

**Agent 86** · 5 September 2005, 11:56 AM

Originally posted by ScottH
Definitely held!!

Soft kick, but it was there.

**cruiser** · 5 September 2005, 11:56 AM

Originally posted by NMWBloods
I note that the commentators thought it was borderline.

You think this looks borderline?

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/foo...E19773,00.html

***NMWBloods*** · 5 September 2005, 11:58 AM

Originally posted by cruiser
You think this looks borderline?

Read again - "the commentators thought it was borderline".

**Agent 86** · 5 September 2005, 11:59 AM

Originally posted by cruiser
But in the case of Friday nights game, the umpire can clearly be seen behind Goodes with an obviously perfect view of the legging. Does anyone know which umpire made the call to play on rather than give Goodes a free?

McInerny?

**anniswan** · 5 September 2005, 11:59 AM

Originally posted by cruiser
Does anyone know which umpire made the call to play on rather than give Goodes a free?

McLaren

**Agent 86** · 5 September 2005, 12:07 PM

Originally posted by NMWBloods
I note that the commentators thought it was borderline.

Nothing borderline about that one.

But Goodes seems to have lost the ability to collect the ball cleanly - if he'd grabbed first time it wouldn't have been an issue (it wasn't the only time he fumbled).

***NMWBloods*** · 5 September 2005, 12:09 PM

That's one of the key things isn't it - as Ruda noted before, our players were fumbling all over the place. A clean grab here or there would have made all the difference. Commentators thought it was borderline because Goodes was already going to ground and Wirripunda didn't actually make contact below the knees (he isn't in that picture). Should have been paid anyway given what normally happens. Goodes didn't help his cause though.

**Agent 86** · 5 September 2005, 12:18 PM

Originally posted by timthefish
in which case you make an appeal and get your licence back. we're talking about a situation where the important result is not changeable.

You've obviosly never tried to appeal about a speeding fine.

**Sean** · 5 September 2005, 12:22 PM

Originally posted by NMWBloods
That's one of the key things isn't it - as Ruda noted before, our players were fumbling all over the place. A clean grab here or there would have made all the difference.

The fact that he didn't cleanly gather the ball meant that it was also a free kick for being held when not in possession - it doesn't change anything in regards to the trip.

Commentators thought it was borderline because Goodes was already going to ground and Wirripunda didn't actually make contact below the knees (he isn't in that picture).

He quite clearly did make contact below the knees and part of the commentators justification was that it "slipped down". That's not part of the rule - a trip is a trip and the commentators were wrong. All the other people in the media have said it was a trip.

Goodes didn't help his cause though.

He did help his cause by not taking possession - but we still didn't get a free!

**Agent 86** · 5 September 2005, 01:22 PM

Originally posted by timthefish
it is axiomatic that people make errors

True, but player errors are usually caused by the pressure of the moment - as in having a fraction of a second to make a decision before they are belted. Umpires have the luxury of time to think (or in this case, NOT) about a fair outcome. The only pressure they're under is from the crowd & surely they've been trained to not let this sway their decision.

i do not see it unreasonable for excellence in umpiring to be rewarded with 200k + salaries

Just what we need - a bunch of prancing, overpaid, egotistical idiots running the game.

**timthefish** · 5 September 2005, 01:43 PM

Originally posted by Agent 86
Just what we need - a bunch of prancing, overpaid, egotistical idiots running the game.

i'd prefer to think of a future with a great deal more expertise to be drawn upon where there is a real chance of being able to demote people for poor performances.

it seems that mclaren and goldspink, who are both getting on, are almost unassailable in their present positions because there is little talent that could reliably replace them.

what's more, the calls are getting louder for more umpires on the field at AFL level at least. where are these ones going to come from?

**Agent 86** · 5 September 2005, 06:03 PM

Originally posted by timthefish
i'd prefer to think of a future with a great deal more expertise to be drawn upon where there is a real chance of being able to demote people for poor performances

I agree that the system needs improving & we need more umpire recruits from outside Vic.
Better pay may help, but I wouldn't get too carried away as with more full-time umps it would be too expensive.