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It is a lack of governance by the AFL. Any smart and mature business knows about conflict of interest - real, potential and perceived. You just avoid/reduce the possibility of it arising with good governance. E.g., state governments ban contact between its employees and lobbyists because of the POTENTIAL for corruption or influence. It isn't saying government staff are weak or corruptable, but it does this to remove even the risk of accusation. The AFL has opened itself up to accusations of cheating and bias because of shocking lack of insight and poor governance/integrity planning.
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I distinctly remember an umpire stopping and telling off a Swifts defender for calling her by her name on court during play. I know AFL and netball are almost opposite extremes in terms of on court/field behaviour, and popularity, all those things. but imagine having that sort of discipline in the footy world.Comment
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I actually like the idea of not promoting a culture of criticism towards our umps. We see that far too often in Rugby League for example, which is one of the reasons I've stopped watching the game altogether. Did I think the umpiring was fair on Thursday night? Not at all. Some of those decisions contributed to us losing the game. I thought Longmire dealt with the umpiring issue in an intelligent way. He was certainly satirical, but was gentle, and he expressed his disdain while appearing not to have accused the umps outright.Comment
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Many years ago umpires used to socialise with players, officials & coaches after the game. Diesel Williams tells of an umpire who told him he'd never get a vote for the Brownlow while he was umpiring. This umpire cost Diesel a Brownlow in the last game of the season when he deliberately changed the other umpire's vote as senior umpire telling him Diesel doesn't get a vote. This is the reason the AFL decided it was better if umpires didn't socialise and mix with players on a regular basis. It could be seen as collusion with a particular footy club. There were many instances of this happening in the dark evil past of the VFL. One umpire called an Indigenous player a 'Little Black Bastard' in a game in the late '60's/Early '70's. In those days that sort of racism didn't get much press at all, it was expected. In 1977 I was in Melbourne and applying for jobs there were signs on the outside of businesses saying; 'NO BLACKS, NO JEWS, NO CATHOLICS'.
There were some relationships developed between players and umpires that were advantageous to the player. Peter McKenna openly admitted many years ago of having a very good relationship with many umpires. He got plenty of frees too. If you develop personal relationships with umpires they are going to give you more than the opposition. This is a form of cheating and should be shut down right now. I think the umpires were very kind to Hawthorn Thursday night and now I hear this I know why. McLachlin is a powder puff and will do anything the powerful clubs tell him to. There is no way any club should be paying AFL Umpire flight and accommodation or fraternising with umpires to gain advantage. This has to be shut down NOW. Evans what the @@@@ are you doing about this?Comment
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Agreed - wouldn't want it to descend into open slather abuse of umpiring which isn't constructive. But you should be able to point out that you would have won a game if certain dubious decisions hadn't been made and could they investigate possible reasons for the lopsided free kick count?
It may lead to them discovering that - for example - the umps were mates with one of the teams. But maybe they know that already? It was in the news after all.Comment
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Like I said in an earlier post, I'm not sure why articles like this haven't caused more of a stink. AFL and media have turned a blind eye to it. To me it explains 100% why Hawthorn are getting favourable decisions. I read someone saying that all clubs can do it, but clearly Hawthorn are the frontrunners and go out of their way to show the umpires a good time and 'become mates.'Comment
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Anyone know any journos?Comment
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Definitely cheating.Wild speculation, unsubstantiated rumours, silly jokes and opposition delight in another's failures is what makes an internet forum fun.
Blessed are the cracked for they are the ones who let in the light.Comment
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This league becomes more of a joke under Gil the Dill everyday. So @@@@@@@ing corrupt and Hawthorn are treating it as their plaything. It's so unfair and skewed, it's maddening!Comment
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Send it to Eddie.
He's a journo.Wild speculation, unsubstantiated rumours, silly jokes and opposition delight in another's failures is what makes an internet forum fun.
Blessed are the cracked for they are the ones who let in the light.Comment
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To me the question is - why do the AFL want Hawthorn to keep winning premierships? Is Gill McLachlan a supporter of Hawthorn? Mark Evans used to be Football Manager at Hawthorn.
In the 2015 gf I thought - yawn Hawthorn will win it again and they did.
If Hawthorn is 'developing relationships' with certain referees - isn't this a blatant conflict of interest. Umpire Schmitt - who we dislike - is a barrister. He would know all about conflict of interest.
Why would this be going on?
Do the AFL press know about this? There would be a huge story here. Or have Hawthorn developed a 'relationship' with members of the AFL press?
Are we just a bunch of conspiracy theorists and Hawthorn are simply the best team? After watching the game last Thursday I don't think Hawthorn are the best team - they needed umpiring assistance to win.
If Eddie Maguire has such an influence over the AFL - what is his role here? Perhaps he's good mates with the Hawthorn President. Eddie is very Victorian centric so I guess he doesn't want the non-Victorian teams to succeed. If the Magpies can't win it then why not the Hawks - at least it's better than the Swans or the Crows.
What does the 'A' in AFL stand for???Comment
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LOL.
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Notice how the Victorians are using the impending 10 year dominance of GWS to push for more pro-victorian agenda items.
Its all fear about the interstaters when the facts are
- Hawthorn has won the last 3, maybe 4, and Geelong 3 before that.
- GWS have never played a final yet.
By any measure, the last 10 years have been victorian dominated.Comment
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