AFL games are umpired for continuity of play and on reputation, not on merit. Geelong, Hawthorn, Collingwood and Sydney are the beneficiaries of "rep" frees every week against their more lowly-ranked opponents and last night's effort has raised this to a new level.
During that crucial period when Geelong transitioned from 3 goals down to 4 goals up they enjoyed a run of 10 free kicks to 1. No team can stem the tide when so many disputed balls are decided by the whistle. The Newman incident should be shown and dissected to every umpire on the list as it epitomises the inherent unfairness in the way they look at games.
It occurred at a time when Geelong was ramping up the physical pressure. Newman broke away from a crowded area with the ball and delivered cleanly to Martin, who most likely should have been pinged for a push in the back in the marking contest. This should have been rendered irrelevant as Newman was heavily tackled by Hunt who arrived late and dumped him into the turf. His head is seen to bounce off the ground from the impact. This was a clear free kick upfield. It was also an illegal application of physical pressure and intimidation. Look at the replay and you will see Hunt dumped several players last night as he applied physical pressure. However the umpire did not penalise him on any occasions, making it easy for his team to intimidate.
What is Newman to do? Does he meekly accept that when the bully-boys get going they will do this to you, the umpires will ignore it and you will be tasting grass until you lose control of the game? He dumped him back, exerting his own pressure. The umpire who ignored the first dumping is quick to stamp on this insurrection, paying a free to Hunt. The die is cast. Geelong can do as they please, Richmond must adhere to the strict letter of the law.
Enter Selwood from 20 metres away. Calm. Cool. Composed. Sledging for all he is worth. No doubt he was urging Newman to see the funny side of it all, the funny side being that Newman is a veteran who has never played in a final whilst he, himself is a three-time Premiership player. Newman pushed him away. Sucked in, Newman, sucked in umpire. Fifty metres. Selwood, suddenly angry, grabs Newman in a bear- hug and dumps him to the grass again. No reversal. One rule for one, a different rule for another.
The ball is relayed forward and Petterd tackles a Geelong player around the waist. For Geelong players, their heads are apparently so big that anything above the hips is considered part of the head. A mumbled "Oh, my God" and another 50 gifts them a goal.
During that period of time, Richmond players did not have heads at all. Their one free kick came from shepherding the forward off the ball in a 2 on 1 marking contest, which occurred a number of times but was only penalised once. Geelong's rucks worked in tandem, one wrestled, one attended to the hit-out. Richmond players were tackled with ferocity as the pressure went up again.
It is easy to be the bully boys when the umpire is aiding and abetting.
There was some recent speculation in the media about how North Melb and Richmond are two sides that are trying to jump from the middle reaches of the ladder but can't seem to take that final step. This is why.
