Match Day Rnd. 2. Western Bulldogs V Sydney Swans. 7.50 pm Etihad Stadium.

[dejavoodoo44]

As a former 'spearing left footer' , I love Newman's left foot. He looks promising with our need for better forward delivery. Florent looks classy and fast, and Hayward could really be something. Very impressed with those three.

Yes, good efforts from all three, but Hayward is the one that impresses the most. Fox was pretty good in the first half, as well. I would certainly prefer him to Towers.

[aardvark]

Not late. Not 50.

and not high. But it was mean to poor old Travis so we better report the nasty Swans player.

Oh and gift him a goal to make him feel better.

[S.S. Bleeder]

Did you see Horse's presser. He went as far as he could re: holding the ball decisions being one sided. He also said Tippo doesn't have a break

I thought that he was overly "measured". He basically said that we need to learn how to change to what the umpires interpretation of the holding the ball is. It's more than their interpretation of that one rule that is the issue. Just look at all the mistakes they made in all aspects.

It shouldn't be necessary but I think we need a coach that specialises in the umpires interpretation of the rules. In reality the rules of AFL are simple. The scumpires need to learn to put the whistle away unless they are 99% that a free kick is deserved. The trouble is that they are paying free based on emotion rather than the facts. Currently they seem to be blowing the whistle based on what they think they saw rather than what actually happened.

[Blue Sun]

Frees: 31 - 18. Laughable. There at it again. Why even bother?

[Boddo]

I thought that he was overly "measured". He basically said that we need to learn how to change to what the umpires interpretation of the holding the ball is. It's more than their interpretation of that one rule that is the issue. Just look at all the mistakes they made in all aspects.

It shouldn't be necessary but I think we need a coach that specialises in the umpires interpretation of the rules. In reality the rules of AFL are simple. The scumpires need to learn to put the whistle away unless they are 99% that a free kick is deserved. The trouble is that they are paying free based on emotion rather than the facts. Currently they seem to be blowing the whistle based on what they think they saw rather than what actually happened.

The game is being umpired for higher a scoring game. It's not a tough contested game like it used to be in the space of a few seasons it's turned into a very uncontested game of footy. Like I said it started with Hawthorn sitting off the pack waiting to make a tackle n then open the play up and now the Bulldogs have adjusted to the umpire interpretation faster than most. A close checking full back like Grundy could end up disappearing from the game very quickly. Players like Parker, Hannebery are going to find it a lot harder now as you could see by the Jones htb interpretation.

[S.S. Bleeder]

The game is being umpired for higher a scoring game. It's not a tough contested game like it used to be in the space of a few seasons it's turned into a very uncontested game of footy. Like I said it started with Hawthorn sitting off the pack waiting to make a tackle n then open the play up and now the Bulldogs have adjusted to the umpire interpretation faster than most. A close checking full back like Grundy could end up disappearing from the game very quickly. Players like Parker, Hannebery are going to find it a lot harder now as you could see by the Jones htb interpretation.

Surely the onus is on the AFL to advise The clubs well before the start of each season to let the clubs know how they will be interpreting the rules and then for them to stick to that interpretation? Currently the umpires interpretation is based on a vibe rather that what the rules are. When an anomaly occurs the umpires departments comes out with a public comment that they will be clamping down on that breach. They clamp down on it for a few weeks and then revert back to the old interpretation. How are the honest clubs supposed to know here they stand?

The rules of AFL are fluid and constantly changing. How ridiculous is that?

[mcs]

Frees: 31 - 18. Laughable. There at it again. Why even bother?

51-26 is the combined free kick between the GF and tonight.

Are the dogs twice as good at playing within the rules as we are?

[longmile]

51-26 is the combined free kick between the GF and tonight.

Are the dogs twice as good at playing within the rules as we are?

terrific post

[wolftone57]

We had a lot of great kids play tonight. Even of the experienced players could not be bothered the kids could. they were sensational. sure Aliir wasn't ready, we knew that but we needed to take the chance. He played quite well when he got the chance. I said it during the game; @@@@ off Luke Parker unless you can be consistently good in big games, the same applies to Jack.

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We had a lot of great kids play tonight. Even of the experienced players could not be bothered the kids could. they were sensational. sure Aliir wasn't ready, we knew that but we needed to take the chance. He played quite well when he got the chance. I said it during the game; @@@@ off Luke Parker unless you can be consistently good in big games, the same applies to Jack.

[annew]

i love the game of AFL, but I hate it when my enjoyment is stolen by umpires who , are too scared to umpire fairly, or are too incompetent to interpret the rules fairly, or are corrupt.

The Swans are often on the wrong side of this, too often.

The AFL is stealing my money, my time and is fast losing my loyalty.

I have paid my membership for well over a decade now, I went to the MCG last year for the prelim, but if this ridiculous biased umpiring continues, I will be curtailing my AFL involvement and spending heavily. I will seriously consider whether to continue being interested in the game at all.

I am speaking as a Swans supporter of course. But I enjoy watching games involving other clubs also. I have seen too many of those games decided by ridiculous umpiring decisions too.

This is an issue in a sport which is supposedly the national game. A sport which involves millions of dollars of expenditure, a sport which is supposed to be professional.

Is there any other professional sport in the world (other than cricket, which has been proven to be corrupt many times) Where the umpiring or refereeing is such an issue.? This is a serious question. Do supporters have these problems in NFL or NBL for example?

The AFL needs to get this stupidity sorted out. It is unprofessional and unacceptable to have a 31-18 free kick count. There is definitely something wrong here.

+1

[Boddo]

Surely the onus is on the AFL to advise The clubs well before the start of each season to let the clubs know how they will be interpreting the rules and then for them to stick to that interpretation? Currently the umpires interpretation is based on a vibe rather that what the rules are. When an anomaly occurs the umpires departments comes out with a public comment that they will be clamping down on that breach. They clamp down on it for a few weeks and then revert back to the old interpretation. How are the honest clubs supposed to know here they stand?

The rules of AFL are fluid and constantly changing. How ridiculous is that?

Most of what we see in regards to umpiring is a directive from head office. No different from when one day cricket first started with the interpretation of wides then it flowed on to others things. Head office want a free flowing high scoring game so the Bulldogs have adapted the best. The problem is with the advent of all the changes we have lost the high goal square mark, the one on one battles, players confident in taking a risk by going to get the ball. I've got no doubt clubs get the memo but it's who adapts to it all the best. It's no coincidence with the way game is going that the last 4 premierships have been won by fast open running sides. The AFL see's itself as entertainment not sport n that's what they push for n whether we like it or not the sides that adapt the fastest will thrive. We play a contested in close style game. The AFL don't want that. Sadly a few of our players could end up being left behind.

[Faunac8]

[QUOTE=wolftone57;720048]We had a lot of great kids play tonight. Even of the experienced players could not be bothered the kids could. they were sensational. sure Aliir wasn't ready, we knew that but we needed to take the chance. He played quite well when he got the chance. I said it during the game; @@@@ off Luke Parker unless you can be consistently good in big games, the same applies to Jack.

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Pretty harsh assessment of Luke Parker 21 disposals isn't too bad an effort, in fact he was only behind Franklin , Reid and Loyd in the AFL dream team points

[Joel Ridge]

Have not watched the game yet, but the feedback or Florent and Haywood has been positive. It's great for the list to have so many young players playing senior football.

The football department will have to manage their young bodies. Maybe three senior games then a week off with general soreness could be the model. If you don't freshen them up they will lose "zip". Happened to Heeney last year.

Hopefully Heeney and Papley can be ready in two weeks to accommodate some rest periods for Haywood and Florent.

Newman, Fox and Foote are a bit older so probably don't have the same rest requirements.

[Hotpotato]

The umps love the Dogs methodology....
when a player goes kick it to me , time after time he's run hard and enjoys a 10 metre radius of separation making it a cinch to hit him on the chest , he turns around and there's another one in clear uncontested space...
End to end .... goal , their goals come so easily ...
If they are touched up, they are rewarded with a free kick because the umps like their way of playing .

[Nico]

[QUOTE=Faunac8;720051]

We had a lot of great kids play tonight. Even of the experienced players could not be bothered the kids could. they were sensational. sure Aliir wasn't ready, we knew that but we needed to take the chance. He played quite well when he got the chance. I said it during the game; @@@@ off Luke Parker unless you can be consistently good in big games, the same applies to Jack.

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Pretty harsh assessment of Luke Parker 21 disposals isn't too bad an effort, in fact he was only behind Franklin , Reid and Loyd in the AFL dream team points

Parker is injured. He played with his knee bandaged and to me appeared restricted in his movement. Hanners also played up forward more than usual and he doesn't seem to be getting to contests as normal. People are bit harsh on Jack. He didn't play a pre season game and few players get their touch back overnight.