I didn't think Hardwick should have mentioned it, someone posted in the game day thread straight after the game that they hoped he didn't go down that path because it would be a poor example and it was an insightful comment.
When your team has just lost a final, arguably through poor discipline, I think the last thing you should do is give any support to any notion of being hard done by.
Man up, be professional and set the standard that you don't consider an umpiring decision for one moment longer than the decision itself. Robbo's right in that regard, worrying about umpiring is fan stuff, not the actions of a pro.
Dimma hardly went down that path although a journo tried to lure him to do so in the presser. He was clearly livid over the 50m penalty decisions which resulted in the 2 vital goals in the half-time grab, which was virtually the game, along with the overturned Bolton goal which hit the padding, and the inconclusive footage (apparently - hard to tell from limited Ch.7 film) of the Vlastuin claimed touched goal.
But a minder would have probably got to Dimma before the post-match presser, to remind him not to dare criticise the umpiring for determining the result, so he was careful. But I wish he never went down the path of admitting poor discipline because that is OTT for what happened IMHO (see my prior post re this) . But the fear of further on-field retribution from the AFL via the umpiring of ensuing final(s) is not to be risked. See what happened to Clarkson's Hawks after his much-publicised criticism. So Dimma knows he must take the cool-aid.
But 'arguably through poor discipline' - you fall so comfortably into the AFL and media narrative per usual, TBR. Robbo and Hutchie would relate well to you I'd say.
But that final pgh is simply breathtaking in your condescending and patronising of all those who fail to conform to your incredibly gullible and naive world-view when it comes to the AFL in general and its umpiring department. (Maradona's infamous hand-of-god WC goal was so right too I suppose?)
How about then the AFL and their precious umpires be accountable for their decisions and rule 'interpretations' along with responsibility for the constant meddling with the rules that render the game so inconsistent in its enforcement? These guys are FT professionals too, aren't they? And very well-paid, especially in the current economy. Why is their a cone of silence? Heavy penalties for any criticism or even questioning by anyone involved in the game? In a supposed democracy where free speech is a central tenet. How about the umpires set a consistent high standard? Coaches, players, club officials are not allowed to avoid media scrutiny.
'Robbo's right in that regard, worrying about umpiring is fan stuff, not the actions of a pro." If you believe that crucial umpiring decisions did NOT have a major influence in both our final and the Pies win, then you are the AFL 'fan'. Your endorsement of that flog Robbo says much about you. If you cannot recognise his abiding jealous resentment of RFC, along with his downright ignorance when it comes to comprehending the game at all, then your awareness is highly questionable e.g. So you actually believe our players are bullies? Cotchin? Bolton? Pickett? Even though we are usually always a shorter/lighter team, we are bullies?
Just tell me again how the Skunks almost always end matches with a significant FF credit; while we get same FA? It's just one of those incidentals, purely random I suppose?
