Horse on SEN 7/2

[Doctor J.]

Reasonable unbiased umpiring and we win the game.

Unbiased umpiring and when Hewitt slots through our last goal of the game it should have been to put us 2-3 goals up, not 1 pt down. Its then a totally different game for the last few minutes, with the Dogs having to take massive risks to score.

People talk about conspiracy theories, well this was no conspiracy theory, it happened before our eyes. From the moment of the Bulldogs unexpected win over WCE the AFL was presented with a genuine feel good story and went out of their way to ensure the fairy tale materialised.

Consider this:

Hawthorn laid over 100 tackles in their elimination final, and not one free kick for holding the ball. They lost the free kick count 19-14 and in the crucial 3rd quarter 3 of the Dogs 6 goals kicked were via free kicks (2 directly and one should have been called back for a throw just prior to Bontempelli kicking it)

Prelim final, the obvious one was the 50m penalty that wasn't given to Scully late in the last. A free kick count of 23-13 in favour of the Bulldogs certainly helped in getting them over the line.

Then we get to the GF and we all know what happened there. We were ambushed and could do nothing about it.

A Sydney win was the worst outcome for the AFL. The media would have written about how a salary cap, COLA assisted, academy benefitted, interstate team had ripped a premiership away from the poor battlers of the AFL's heartland. The local (Vic centric) media would have created a media storm that the AFL could quite frankly have done without.

Yes the AFL got their fairy tale. It meant instead of the media reporting on the bad boys from up north depriving the battlers from the heartland and continuing to report on sagas such as COLA, Academies, EFC drugs saga, Whitfield drug issue, Jobe's Brownlow, Talia drugs charge, etc, it now had a good news story of the Bulldogs winning their first GF in 62 years, and all the bad news could be forgotten. And didn't the win get front and centre for months, pushing all the other issues to the background.

As far as I'm concerned: Bulldogs Premiers 2016*

*AFL assisted

[graemed]

It was interest hearing him discuss a wide range of topics because he will be addressing a leadership forum at my school tomorrow and I am keenly anticipating the topic of the discussion as well the opportunity to hear him speak to such an audience.

[dejavoodoo44]

It was interest hearing him discuss a wide range of topics because he will be addressing a leadership forum at my school tomorrow and I am keenly anticipating the topic of the discussion as well the opportunity to hear him speak to such an audience.

Perhaps you could enquire about what particular decisions in the GF, caused him to have a word with the AFL: as he's being a bit cagey about that.

[graemed]

I doubt the format will allow for much access of this type. It is basically a senior student forum on leadership and resilience

[Blue Sun]

It was very professional of Longmire to wait until the hype surrounding the Dogs premiership had died down before making a public statement. You've got to admire him for that, I'm proud that he is the Sydney coach. On the matter of the one-sided affair last September, it hurts a little less now, but the 2016 premiership will always be tainted in my mind. There was no way the umpires were going to let the Swans spoil the fairytale.

[bloodspirit]

I am so sick and *#@!ing tired of hearing whinging about umpiring! OK, the Bulldogs got the rub of the green, it suited everyone except us and, depending on your point of view, the premiership is tainted. But do we have to go on about it ad nauseam? It's so pointless and discouraging and pathetic. I think the right noises were made via the right channels at the right times (thank you Horse and the Swans) and there's nothing more to be done. Bleating won't get us the flag now. And it looks bad and is horrible to read/listen to. It's sore losing and it ain't the Bulldogs fault. They were magnificent and got a victory they have every right to celebrate and enjoy.

I was at the game, saw the tears of joy flow from Bulldogs fans and felt a heck of a lot better about that result (umpiring notwithstanding) than losing to the Hawks in 2014 (which still evokes a heavy, sick sensation in my gut). Umpiring variability is a part of competitive sport and the very best teams and individuals rise above it and dominate anyway. In 2016 we were good enough to win but we weren't so good that not winning meant we wuz robbed. Let's be even better this year!

Rant over.

[mcs]

I am so sick and *#@!ing tired of hearing whinging about umpiring! OK, the Bulldogs got the rub of the green, it suited everyone except us and, depending on your point of view, the premiership is tainted. But do we have to go on about it ad nauseam? It's so pointless and discouraging and pathetic. I think the right noises were made via the right channels at the right times (thank you Horse and the Swans) and there's nothing more to be done. Bleating won't get us the flag now. And it looks bad and is horrible to read/listen to. It's sore losing and it ain't the Bulldogs fault. They were magnificent and got a victory they have every right to celebrate and enjoy.

I was at the game, saw the tears of joy flow from Bulldogs fans and felt a heck of a lot better about that result (umpiring notwithstanding) than losing to the Hawks in 2014 (which still evokes a heavy, sick sensation in my gut). Umpiring variability is a part of competitive sport and the very best teams and individuals rise above it and dominate anyway. In 2016 we were good enough to win but we weren't so good that not winning meant we wuz robbed. Let's be even better this year!

Rant over.

You have every right to such an opinion bloodspirit, as do other people have every right to hold a different opinion in regards to it. I suggest you tread carefully if you are going to start telling people how they should think about it what happened.

As for making the right noises - some may argue that we did nothing bar waft a wet lettuce leaf in the general direction of the AFL at the time.

Just imagine the uproar that would have happened if that sort of umpiring impacted a team such as Collingwood, with fat eddie in charge. Not that I condone his approach at all, but I doubt they would of been satisfied with the sweeping under the carpet that happened in regards to the umpiring. I had hoped there might be a renewed push for full time umpiring, but that seems to remain well off the agenda for now.

[CureTheSane]

I am so sick and *#@!ing tired of hearing whinging about umpiring!

the Bulldogs got the rub of the green

the premiership is tainted.

Umpiring variability is a part of competitive sport

Quoted for fun

haha, only joking, I tend to agree with you.
The Swans handled it well, at the right time, with the right degree of candor.

New season starting, bashing on about umpiring isn't going to change anything for the better for the Swans this year.
Nothing surer than us winning the flag in 2017

[56-14]

I support bloodspirit's post.

I'd like to add that the whingers have had 4 months to vent their frustrations - I think it's now time to give it a rest.

There's an exciting season ahead for us - let's enjoy!

[bloodsbigot]

They were magnificent and got a victory they have every right to celebrate and enjoy.

I was at the game, saw the tears of joy flow from Bulldogs fans and felt a heck of a lot better about that result (umpiring notwithstanding) than losing to the Hawks in 2014 (which still evokes a heavy, sick sensation in my gut). Umpiring variability is a part of competitive sport and the very best teams and individuals rise above it and dominate anyway.

Nope. Disagree. Strongly disagree. They didn't deserve it. And they should be reminded forever.

2014 Hawks deserved it but 2016 is just @@@@@@ up.

[graemed]

Enjoyed an absolutely great presentation from a consummate speaker. Had the audience spell bound not just those invested in AFL. Some a length about the 3 pillars that underpin the core leadership of the club and the ownership that the whole playing group have of the whole process. The college made a video of the event and it should be available on the school website. I will send a link for those who may be interested.

I'm the one on the left.

[Doctor]

I agree that it's done but I disagree that we have to suck it up. Let's not forget the AFL's statement about the standard of umpiring on the day. The club is right to make measured comments about it and we don't know what they've done behind closed doors. It won't change if nothing is done.

[mcs]

Enjoyed an absolutely great presentation from a consummate speaker. Had the audience spell bound not just those invested in AFL. Some a length about the 3 pillars that underpin the core leadership of the club and the ownership that the whole playing group have of the whole process. The college made a video of the event and it should be available on the school website. I will send a link for those who may be interested.

I'm the one on the left.

Sounds like a great day Graeme - what I really like about Longmire is he is a deep thinking, well considered speaker, whenever asked for his opinion. Sounds like the talk today at the school was really worth it, and will have a listen when I get a chance.

[CureTheSane]

Enjoyed an absolutely great presentation from a consummate speaker. Had the audience spell bound not just those invested in AFL. Some a length about the 3 pillars that underpin the core leadership of the club and the ownership that the whole playing group have of the whole process. The college made a video of the event and it should be available on the school website. I will send a link for those who may be interested.

I'm the one on the left.

Kevin Sheedy did a talk at my High School because Ken Fraser was the principal.
Very inspiring and motivational.
Lucky you getting horse...

[jono2707]

I support bloodspirit's post.

I'd like to add that the whingers have had 4 months to vent their frustrations - I think it's now time to give it a rest.

There's an exciting season ahead for us - let's enjoy!

#imwithbloodspirit
I expect Horse to be 100% focused on 2017 from here on in. I am.