After reading the headline of Matthews wanting 5 umpires, I could not resist, and have submitted this to www.thebladder.com.au...
Fans want 44 umpires – report
A recent report conducted by the AFL as indicated that most fans are in favour of 44 umpires. The report has indicated that fans are in support of an umpire for each player, with the umpire to be interchanged as a player is benched.
Fans were quoted in the report as saying they love umpires obstructing players, appearing to have favourite players, and making wrong decisions at crucial points in the game.
“It just adds to the intrigue and the enjoyment of the game” one fan was quoted as saying.
“This is great news for umpires.” AFL Umpires Association President Iva Scrulous said in a press conference. “This is a perfect situation to build the strength and depth of the umpiring fraternity. It will now be possible to develop a young umpire as a player is being developed.”
Umpiring Director Jeff Geischen said there will not be a problem with inconsistency. “Look three umpires can’t get it right. You are not going to notice 44 umpires getting it wrong.”
The shock report also seems to have the backing of some players. Current players were asked for their opinion, with all thoughts treated as confidential.
An Essendon full forward was quoted as saying “Obviously I have my favourite umpires, who I am very friendly with. As long as I continue to get those umpires assigned to me, I don’t have a problem – in fact I endorse it.”
A Lion Centre Half Forward said “I just have to touch an oppostion player now and I get 5 weeks rest. Hopefully with an umpire assigned to me, that person can see that it was only meant to be a love tap.”
Past player David Rhys-Jones was asked for his thoughts. His only comment was “Thankfully I won’t be playing when this potentially takes effect.”
Richmond Coach Terry Wallace who opened the debate with a call for four umpires, is surprising not in favour of the report’s findings.
“Yeah look, in the same week that I made the call for four umpires, I also talked about the negative impact flooding is having on our game. Can you imagine what it going to be like for a player in possession of the ball in the half back line. He is going to look up for someone to kick to and he will potentially see over 70 players and officials crowding the forward line. Maybe I was wrong, and we should go back to one umpire?”
Andrew Demitriou said the AFL will take the report’s finding on board, although a decision will not be made until after this year’s Grand Final.
Fans want 44 umpires – report
A recent report conducted by the AFL as indicated that most fans are in favour of 44 umpires. The report has indicated that fans are in support of an umpire for each player, with the umpire to be interchanged as a player is benched.
Fans were quoted in the report as saying they love umpires obstructing players, appearing to have favourite players, and making wrong decisions at crucial points in the game.
“It just adds to the intrigue and the enjoyment of the game” one fan was quoted as saying.
“This is great news for umpires.” AFL Umpires Association President Iva Scrulous said in a press conference. “This is a perfect situation to build the strength and depth of the umpiring fraternity. It will now be possible to develop a young umpire as a player is being developed.”
Umpiring Director Jeff Geischen said there will not be a problem with inconsistency. “Look three umpires can’t get it right. You are not going to notice 44 umpires getting it wrong.”
The shock report also seems to have the backing of some players. Current players were asked for their opinion, with all thoughts treated as confidential.
An Essendon full forward was quoted as saying “Obviously I have my favourite umpires, who I am very friendly with. As long as I continue to get those umpires assigned to me, I don’t have a problem – in fact I endorse it.”
A Lion Centre Half Forward said “I just have to touch an oppostion player now and I get 5 weeks rest. Hopefully with an umpire assigned to me, that person can see that it was only meant to be a love tap.”
Past player David Rhys-Jones was asked for his thoughts. His only comment was “Thankfully I won’t be playing when this potentially takes effect.”
Richmond Coach Terry Wallace who opened the debate with a call for four umpires, is surprising not in favour of the report’s findings.
“Yeah look, in the same week that I made the call for four umpires, I also talked about the negative impact flooding is having on our game. Can you imagine what it going to be like for a player in possession of the ball in the half back line. He is going to look up for someone to kick to and he will potentially see over 70 players and officials crowding the forward line. Maybe I was wrong, and we should go back to one umpire?”
Andrew Demitriou said the AFL will take the report’s finding on board, although a decision will not be made until after this year’s Grand Final.
