Umpire farce - Getting worse by the minute!

[Tigers2011]

AFL Rules and umpiring in general is at rock bottom.

Irrespective of the negative free kick count against us for whatever reason, this has really reached a crisis point for the AFL. Saturday night for us (as well as other games observed across the weekend) was a joke.

Simple solutions to fix the mess:

- Get rid of the stand rule.
- Get rid of the protected corridor rule.
- Get rid of outstretched arms being considered as dissent. Dissent is either aggressive behaviour towards an umpire or swearing at an umpire.
- Reduce 50 metre penalty to 25 metres.
- Get rid of the bounce - don't need it, plus its a barrier to encouraging good decision makers to umpire.
- Stricter interpretation on incorrect disposal - common sense in relation to prior opportunity with a requirement that the player must dispose of the ball by foot or hand (not just merely try to).
- Pay minimum of $200k per year for AFL/AFLW umpires and make it a full-time, professional profession. In this way, talented players who are either not good enough or too old for AFL/AFLW, will be encouraged to pursue it as a career.
- Umpire teams to be established and stay in teams for every week of the home and away season - create consistency of adjudicating. Proviso of inexperienced umpires being placed in teams with at least one experienced umpire for the home and away season.

Something has to change as many games are becoming farcical.

 

[tigersnake]

Note: last week Mince Whateley in an interview with Malcom Speed, asked him about Richmond’s long running, tenuous relationship with the AFL. There’s clearly a problem.

Yeah its been casually raised a lot, it seems widely accepted now. I think its due to a combo of factors: no Richmond people in positions of power, we do things our own way, our success irritates the AFL because the Suns and GWS aren't successful.

Doesn't seem to be easing up either, Peggy's take on CEO appointment process, basically saying an inside yes-man appointment would stink, was telling.

 

[Smoking Aces]

And don’t just look at the 2022 disparity. Go back to 2016 and onwards.

This has been going on for a number of years.

Note: last week Mince Whateley in an interview with Malcom Speed, asked him about Richmond’s long running, tenuous relationship with the AFL. There’s clearly a problem.

Even Eddie made reference last week to our ongoing stoush at AFL house.

 

[King Kong]

I see more and more evidence that puts paid to 'the way we play' theory of why we get shafted year after year. Carlton and Melbourne both play similarly. Putting pressure on the opposition when they have the ball has always been a hallmark of success and always will be.

Why do the umps hate us and love Footscray year after year? There has to be a rational explanation. I don't believe its a conspiracy, but if head office hates us, and there is evidence that suggests they do, there doesn't have to be. The new rules? Nope this was happening prior to their introduction.

I'd love to hear any other theories. The data is now irrefutable that we get shafted. I can only think of 2:

1) AFL head office hates us and that filters down.
2) Jumper colours causing some involuntary psychological reaction or tendencies.

Maybe its a combo of both, but for me its gotta be 1.

I saw an umpire who has done over 300 games in a pub TAB one night placing massive bets. They can't be traced if they don't have online accounts.

Anyone who thinks because these folks have made the AFL level they aren't open to manipulation is naïve. Its so easy to justify any of their *smile* decisions given the grey areas in the rules now.

I be willing to bet (no pun intended) that an ump has already taken a kickback or similar to influence a game or placed a bet on a game they are umpiring in.

 

[TigerForce]

......or maybe the umps are being given brown paper bags from folks with a vested interest in ensuring we don't make finals?

I have no doubt a number of umps have been approached in one form or the other by big gamblers already.

I saw an umpire who has done over 300 games in a pub TAB one night placing massive bets. They can't be traced if they don't have online accounts.

Can't believe the massive furore and complaints from all supporters on SEN today. The flogs have released a virus.

 

[Redford]

Even Eddie made reference last week to our ongoing stoush at AFL house.

Yeah. And it’s no secret - because the club itself has mentioned it a few times now - that as one part of our overall differences, we’ve had numerous discussions with the AFL about how we get umpired.

I can tell you now, the club seeths about it.

 

[tigersnake]

......or maybe the umps are being given brown paper bags from folks with a vested interest in ensuring we don't make finals?

I have no doubt a number of umps have been approached in one form or the other by big gamblers already.

I saw an umpire who has done over 300 games in a pub TAB one night placing massive bets. They can't be traced if they don't have online accounts.

Valid point, but it doesn't explain the consistent year-on-year shafting, and its failed in 3 or 4 recent years. We've been consistently shafted when we have been given no hope of winning and when we've been favourites, when we've won the flag and missed finals.

 

[shad]

If you watched the Hawthorn V Brisbane game today you would be even more rejected by the way the game has gone.

Woeful. Absolutely woeful our great game has come to this.

I watched the last quarter. With 15 minutes to go a lions player gets the softest free kick I have ever seen and goals from the boundry. Then the Hawks get a free at the bounce, kick long, and another Hawks free right in front leading to a goal. It was like watching kids footy when one ump is cheating so the other one starts to cheat for his side to even it up. It's a joke.

 

[King Kong]

Yeah. And it’s no secret - because the club itself has mentioned it a few times now - that as one part of our overall differences, we’ve had numerous discussions with the AFL about how we get umpired.

I can tell you now, the club seeths about it.

Its been hinted at on the club podcast a few times also that we are not happy with the umpiring.

 

[King Kong]

Valid point, but it doesn't explain the consistent year-on-year shafting, and its failed in 3 or 4 recent years. We've been consistently shafted when we have been given no hope of winning and when we've been favourites, when we've won the flag and missed finals.

I think that's as simple as the majority of umps hate us which influences their decisions

We are the most disliked team in the AFL now by the AFL, opposition fans and the general public because of our success. These umps are no different.

Most of these umps are AFL supporters and some are just as passionate as us. The non-Richmond ones would all hate us and particularly those that have lost finals to us.

One ump who I know of and is a Port Adel supporter use to joke about his shafting of us.

 

[Redford]

I watched the last quarter. With 15 minutes to go a lions player gets the softest free kick I have ever seen and goals from the boundry. Then the Hawks get a free at the bounce, kick long, and another Hawks free right in front leading to a goal. It was like watching kids footy when one ump is cheating so the other one starts to cheat for his side to even it up. It's a joke.

I heard that on radio and the commentary team - all of them - said it was embarrassing for the game. There was one umpire (not sure who), who Richo said was just purposely interfering. Hah hah hah...Richo was losing it all game long.

 

[Tigers of Old]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1528253260871741440

 

[Redford]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1528253260871741440

Well, either it’s an absurdly soft free or the umpires missed about another 60 of them over the weekend.

Can only be one or the other. Which one is it ?

 

[tigersnake]

I think that's as simple as the majority of umps hate us which influences their decisions

We are the most disliked team in the AFL now by the AFL, opposition fans and the general public because of our success. These umps are no different.

Most of these umps are AFL supporters and some are just as passionate as us. The non-Richmond ones would all hate us and particularly those that have lost finals to us.

One ump who I know of and is a Port Adel supporter use to joke about his shafting of us.

Doesn't explain pre-18 shaftings. We were everybody's second team right up to hoisting the cup in 17.

 

[tommystigers]

Yeah. And it’s no secret - because the club itself has mentioned it a few times now - that as one part of our overall differences, we’ve had numerous discussions with the AFL about how we get umpired.

I can tell you now, the club seeths about it.

TBR doesn't think so, Red. He says the club and players don't give it a thought.

 

[tommystigers]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1528253260871741440

Crystal clear rule there Tooheys. The umpire knows it. We nuffies don't know the rule.
These are not the droids you are looking for.

 

[Redford]

TBR doesn't think so, Red. He says the club and players don't give it a thought.

Hmmm. Must have mis heard Balmey on radio a couple of seasons ago when he said they had.

 

[TigerForce]

Flogs should grow balls and look back to 40 years ago with characters like Perc and BT

https://twitter.com/x/status/1517622607495168001

 

[rocsta75]

This morning on SEN, Figgy mentions to Gawwy that Grimo should be applauded as skipper in not getting a 50 against that dangerous tackle that even Figgy thought wasn't a free, and all Gawwy could do was ignore him and concentrate on the live golf.

This d-head keeps opening his bias with Dynastybourne everytime all goes quiet on discussing/calls/texts about them.

Thought the same. Completely changed topic and didnt even acknowledge the qeestion

 

[rocsta75]

AFL Rules and umpiring in general is at rock bottom.

Irrespective of the negative free kick count against us for whatever reason, this has really reached a crisis point for the AFL. Saturday night for us (as well as other games observed across the weekend) was a joke.

Simple solutions to fix the mess:

- Get rid of the stand rule.
- Get rid of the protected corridor rule.
- Get rid of outstretched arms being considered as dissent. Dissent is either aggressive behaviour towards an umpire or swearing at an umpire.
- Reduce 50 metre penalty to 25 metres.
- Get rid of the bounce - don't need it, plus its a barrier to encouraging good decision makers to umpire.
- Stricter interpretation on incorrect disposal - common sense in relation to prior opportunity with a requirement that the player must dispose of the ball by foot or hand (not just merely try to).
- Pay minimum of $200k per year for AFL/AFLW umpires and make it a full-time, professional profession. In this way, talented players who are either not good enough or too old for AFL/AFLW, will be encouraged to pursue it as a career.
- Umpire teams to be established and stay in teams for every week of the home and away season - create consistency of adjudicating. Proviso of inexperienced umpires being placed in teams with at least one experienced umpire for the home and away season.

Something has to change as many games are becoming farcical.

Well this is just to obvious. Guess a few people would lose their jobs if they implemented this