2021 AFL Finals Umpiring

[Oscarman]

It's sports entertainment these days. Viewer numbers are king.

 

[Keays2myBeamas]

Can someone explain to me why blocking is outlawed?

shepherding within reasonable distance to the ball has always been allowed, and there’s nothing unfair about both teams being allowed to block. To my eye, allowing it in marking & ruck contests would lead to more marks, more scoring and cleaner play. And most importantly, less flow-killing, atmosphere-killing, randomly adjudicated frees.

 

[Some Idiot]

Whether we think it’s right or wrong, this is one thing they have been consistent with all season. Don’t get me wrong, I hate it but the ump was always gonna pay it.

Agreed, it's the wrong call according to the rules (even with the change to insufficient intent, he clearly swung his foot inboard) but they have paid a free kick for that about 75% of the time in that situation this season.

 

[JM#1]

People make excuses for the umpires saying it's a tough game to umpire. However, there's no excuse for making pre-meditated, concious decisions before the match even begins, to say to themselves, "right, a short kick in the backlines I will call not 15 play on. However, if it's in the forward 50, I will call a mark, because we want more goals".
Zero integrity.

 

[YeoShuey]

Razor and Williamson dropped for Week 3? What a joke. Both were the best of their matches.

 

[HairyO]

Last night was very good. Didnt notice them, which is exactly how it should be.

 

[Al Heimer]

Last night was very good. Didnt notice them, which is exactly how it should be.

Likewise, though i couldnt see too good with tears of laughter blocking my vision all game!

On SM-J250F using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[YeoShuey]

Mollison the best umpire of the Grand Final. Surely the beginning of many Grand Finals for him.

Other 2 are getting older. Should retire within the next 5 or so years.

 

[Kappa]

Thought the 1st quarter was poor, rest of the game was pretty well umpired.

 

[Beerfish]

Why can't they umpire every game like they do the GF?

 

[Dogs till i die]

Why can't they umpire every game like they do the GF?

The 40 odd umpiring panel is like any footy team. Their top 6 or 8 are elite and then they fall away. They run 27 every week, 5 more than a footy team. Think of the difference between any team's best player and number 27 on their list.

They also range in age from mid 20s to mid 40s, the latter group grew up umpiring when the game was vastly different to what it is today. I'd say a 45 yo umpire would have seen a 100 rule / interpretation changes since they started umpiring. Getting the oldest umpire, along with everybody in between to make the same decision as the youngest umpire, in any given contest wouldn't be easy. Having umpires spread around the country complicates the task.

I tend to cut them some slack.

 

[Beerfish]

I tend to cut them some slack.

I really try to. Let's start again from zero next season.