Biggest Whingers in the AFL

[NMWBloods]

The Goodes one was annoying, but easily missed in any game.

We all agree the Barry one was a disgrace.

I don't think the umpiring evened itself out. But rather it was a major factor influencing the outcome, but not the only one.

[sharpie]

Originally posted by NMWBloods
The Goodes one was annoying, but easily missed in any game.

We all agree the Barry one was a disgrace.

I don't think the umpiring evened itself out. But rather it was a major factor influencing the outcome, but not the only one.

I agree it wasnt the only factor, but in a happy world the umpiring would have no influence on the outcome. Unrealistic sure, but definitely shouldn't have as much influence as it did on Friday night.

FWIW, at the time both those incidents happened, I thought the Goodes non-decision was worse than Leo's because initially I thought it was Leo who had stuffed up. Was only after seeing the replay that I realised exactly what had happened. However, with Goodes' one, straight away I went ballistic (however granted probably moreso than it warranted because I was still angry at that point about the Leo one).

[Sean]

Originally posted by NMWBloods
I agree that Hall has been harshly dealt with for years, as was Plugger. Not sure how much of this is a Sydney thing and how much is a big forward issue.

Doesn't matter what the cause of the issue is - fact is that we get screwed.

A lot of the other frees, particularly around the ground and in the backline, are warranted though.

Of course - I don't think that anyone is complaining about every free.

Not all of course, but most sides get tough decisions and all supporters think their team is harshly done by.

If you take our free kick differential this season and then look at Friday's game, I think a case can be made that we have been more harshly done by - can't get much worse than missing a home PF.

For example, Hall clearly infringed Glass just forward of the wing, no free kick and we run down and kick a goal. Judd was being held most of the game.

You can't really use those as examples if we don't get free kicks for the same thing. Hall hardly touched Glass anyway and a no call was the right decision but if a free is warranted for it then fair enough - when was the last time we got one of those? In regards to Judd, I didn't see him being held at all - unfortunately.

The Goodes one was annoying, but easily missed in any game.

If that's easily missed then there is really no hope for the umpires. Exactly what were they looking at if not the guy with the ball? Although, based on the explanation for the Barry free, I'd probably believe it.

[Sean]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Biggest Whingers in the AFL

Originally posted by timthefish
few have gone so far as to claim outright bias on the behalf of the umps (though there has been much insinuation) but it has given the debate a real stench of a witch hunt.

I would go so far as to claim there is outright bias because the umpires have admitted it in the past. When we asked them why Hall is so poorly treated they said that they seem to think he is big and strong enough to look after himself. Now, that's not a bias in regards to wanting one team to win but they are obviously going into a match with preconceived ideas - that's bias.

In many ways it's not their fault because of the ridiculous decision by the AFL each year to focus on some new rule interpretations - as if the umpires job isn't hard enough already. However, from our perspectivfe it doesn't matter what the reason is. We give away free kicks in defence, almost always justified, whilst our forwards almost never get them - there must be some type of bias there. Surely it's not a coincidence every week?

In regards to it being a witch hunt, it probably seems like that but the umpires created a three goal swing in the final quarter of a match that we lost by four points. Don't we deserve answers?

[NMWBloods]

Umpiring needs a massive overhaul. Unfortunately the idiot pair at the AFL seem incapable of doing it.

[timthefish]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Biggest Whingers in the AFL

Originally posted by Sean
Don't we deserve answers?

certainly. i'm awaiting a few answers myself. what some people have asked for includes punishment, sacking, revenge and other forms of retribution. one twit even called for the game to be declared as won by the swans. complete rubbish.

the standard of umpiring could be lifted i believe, but not through punitive measures. increased training and remuneration leading to more people being willing to take on what is an extremely difficult job (umpires don't get to exorcise their mistakes by screaming faaaarrrkk!!!! into the ether) is the only way forward as i see it.

encouraging the culture of blame will only see an erosion of umpiring talent.

[Sanecow]

If you have one point left on your Drivers Licence and a policeman pulls you over while you are driving under the speed limit and gives you a speeding ticket you don't deserve (50km over the limit son, so you lose your licence), would it be an OK explanation if he later said "Yeah, I got it wrong but you lost the earlier points so it's really your own fault you don't have a licence."?

[timthefish]

Originally posted by Sanecow
If you have one point left on your Drivers Licence and a policeman pulls you over while you are driving under the speed limit and gives you a speeding ticket you don't deserve (50km over the limit son, so you lose your licence), would it be an OK explanation if he later said "Yeah, I got it wrong but you lost the earlier points so it's really your own fault you don't have a licence."?

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.

[Sanecow]

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.

Yes. My point is that the position of the umpires (and some supporters) that "it wasn't just poor umpiring that caused the result" is not reasonable.

Poor umpiring can cause a difference in the result of a game otherwise why have any expectation of umpires?

[Sean]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Biggest Whingers in the AFL

Originally posted by timthefish
one twit even called for the game to be declared as won by the swans.

Hadn't thought of that - it's a great idea!

the standard of umpiring could be lifted i believe, but not through punitive measures. increased training and remuneration leading to more people being willing to take on what is an extremely difficult job (umpires don't get to exorcise their mistakes by screaming faaaarrrkk!!!! into the ether) is the only way forward as i see it.

I agree with that.

However, I actually think that there should be more criticism of umpires - in a sensible way. Part of the problem is that we as supporters have absolutely no idea what happens now. Are the umpires held accountable for their mistakes? I would hope that they are but I don't really know. This then makes it even more frustrating next time because it appears as though nothing has changed.

For example, I think the last big whinge I had about the umpires was after the Essendon game. Now, did anything happen to those umpires? I have no idea. Then, when I see it happen again on Friday, apart from swearing at the tele I'm raving on about "why has this been allowed to happen again?".

It just keeps building up and eventually people will explode.

encouraging the culture of blame will only see an erosion of umpiring talent.

It will and when looking at the big picture I agree with you. However, why do I, as a Swans supporter, need to look at the big picture? That's the AFL's job - my job is to support the Swans and if we get screwed by the umpires then I'll abuse them and the AFL and anyone else in the general area. Maybe the AFL will eventually fix the problem - they won't if everyone keeps quiet.

[anne]

It's rubbish to say there was no bias from the umpires in the Stenglein decision. Why was the umpire focused on Barry and not looking at the whole picture? Because he expected Barry to infringe. If that is not bias I don't know what is. They have preconceived ideas about the Swans and how they play. It has been going on all year.

[Ruck'n'Roll]

Re: Re: Re: Biggest Whingers in the AFL

Originally posted by Schneiderman
Nothing gilt edged about our chances one way or the other.

Yeah, a weeks rest before a home prelim would be a huge disadvantage!

[cruiser]

Originally posted by NMWBloods
The Goodes one was annoying, but easily missed in any game.

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?

[NMWBloods]

I note that the commentators thought it was borderline.

[Sanecow]

Blight ... genius.