Umpiring 2025 Umpiring Trends

[PenfoldsFan]

Do you understand what confirmation bias is?

Is any part of that post incorrect?

 

[RCAB]

Is any part of that post incorrect?

Ray never said "I studied only Adelaide's gamestyle" or "Hawthorn only gamestyle particularly" and then adjusted umpiring based on that.

You just made that up. It's pure fantasy in your mind... hence confirmation bias, with a dose of Dunning Kruger added.

You can stand outside and say "the earth is a flat disc" because you can't see the curvature of the earth. It doesn't make you right just because you've fuelled your own confirmation bias.

 

[PenfoldsFan]

Ray never said "I studied only Adelaide's gamestyle" or "Hawthorn only gamestyle particularly" and then adjusted umpiring based on that.

You just made that up. It's pure fantasy in your mind... hence confirmation bias, with a dose of Dunning Kruger added.

You can stand outside and say "the earth is a flat disc" because you can't see the curvature of the earth. It doesn't make you right just because you've fuelled your own confirmation bias.

Never said he did, he was asked do Umpires study teams game plans prior to games and would they be looking at Brisbanes short kick/mark style for the upcoming final.
Ray said yes.

Thats what I said.

I do note though, that out of the 4 remaining clubs 3 of which are Victorian, Gary chose to highlight the game style of the only Interstate club to ask the question.

 

[RCAB]

Never said he did

In relation to studying only Adelaide's gamestyle you said:

So knowing Adelaides attack goes through their '3 headed monster' marking forwards, and arm chops weren't being paid as was highlighted by the commentators on the night, it makes you wonder how much of Hawthorns pressure and turnover was a byproduct of selective Umpiring having studied Adelaides game style that Razor confirms is a thing Umpires study.

 

[PenfoldsFan]

In relation to studying only Adelaide's gamestyle you said:

So knowing Adelaides attack goes through their '3 headed monster' marking forwards, and arm chops weren't being paid as was highlighted by the commentators on the night, it makes you wonder how much of Hawthorns pressure and turnover was a byproduct of selective Umpiring having studied Adelaides game style that Razor confirms is a thing Umpires study.

I didnt say they studied only Adelaides, If anything, I was extrapolating on comments I made over the weekend about how in the Crows/Hawks game it was noticed by the commentators that arm chops were going uncalled and that this was ok if consistent.

Now, Im not sure why suddenly arm chops would be allowed in that game as its a basic rule thats been called for a long time and if you're honest, you'd agree goes against the AFL's mantra of increasing scoring.

Im just saying it seems strange that a team reknowned for its forward marking power suddenly could be arm chopped out of the blue and that in light of what Ray admitted when questioned, it makes you wonder wether ignoring arm chops was intentional.

Furthermore, Brisbanes strength in transition is its short kick/mark game, which Ray said would likely be studied by the Umpires.
So it poses the question, why are the Umpires scruitinizing the strengths of certain teams?

 

[RCAB]

I didnt say they studied only Adelaides, If anything, I was extrapolating on comments I made over the weekend about how in the Crows/Hawks game it was noticed by the commentators that arm chops were going uncalled and that this was ok if consistent.

Now, Im not sure why suddenly arm chops would be allowed in that game as its a basic rule thats been called for a long time and if you're honest, you'd agree goes against the AFL's mantra of increasing scoring.

Im just saying it seems strange that a team reknowned for its forward marking power suddenly could be arm chopped out of the blue and that in light of what Ray admitted when questioned, it makes you wonder wether ignoring arm chops was intentional.

Furthermore, Brisbanes strength in transition is its short kick/mark game, which Ray said would likely be studied by the Umpires.
So it poses the question, why are the Umpires scruitinizing the strengths of certain teams?

Long posts doesn't make you correct.

Show evidence without making assumptions.

 

[PenfoldsFan]

Long posts doesn't make you correct.

Show evidence without making assumptions.

Lol, lets be clear, you are likely the last person on BF who's opinion I care about.

I dont have to show anything.

 

[RCAB]

Lol, lets be clear, you are likely the last person on BF who's opinion I care about.

I dont have to show anything.

Glad we could keep clear up the fact that you can't provide any factual evidence to any of your tinfoil claims. Well done.

 

[PenfoldsFan]

Glad we could keep clear up the fact that you can't provide any factual evidence to any of your tinfoil claims. Well done.

The AFL doesn't value your opinion either, they only gave IR 4 games.

 

[57 Milner]

Lol, lets be clear, you are likely the last person on BF who's opinion I care about.

I dont have to show anything.

Yep, that dude is of little consequence. I'd ignore him but I find his idiotic posts amusing at times. Debates with him are like arguing with your 10 year old sister.

 

[PenfoldsFan]

Yep, that dude is of little consequence. I'd ignore him but I find his idiotic posts amusing at times. Debates with him are like arguing with your 10 year old sister.

Yep, thats why I threw the IR 4 game mention just now.
Can picture them mashing their keyboard reporting it to a mod, lol.

 

[RCAB]

The AFL doesn't value your opinion either, they only gave IR 4 games.

I initially said that Rankine should get four games suspension.

You failed...again PenfoldsFan.

But this is not the thread for it.

You're also derailing by throwing your second ad-hominemen and then mass disliking all my posts like a crazy person.

 

[aCunningPlan]

So on AFL360 tonight Razor Ray was asked if the Umpires study how teams play in preparation for the upcoming finals, using Brisbanes chip mark style as an example and if they'd be focussing on the 15m rule to which Ray agreed.

Now correct me if im wrong, but not paying marks to Brisbanes style where the distance is marginal would invite pressure on the ball carrier and lead to more turnovers, the achiles of that game style.

Earlier in the show they highlighted some Umpiring decisions from the Crows/Hawks game, one of which was a spoil which Ray claimed wasn't an arm chop as Umpired because the spoiler made contact with the ball, only the footage showed it didnt, not conclusive enough in realtime to say anyway.

So knowing Adelaides attack goes through their '3 headed monster' marking forwards, and arm chops weren't being paid as was highlighted by the commentators on the night, it makes you wonder how much of Hawthorns pressure and turnover was a byproduct of selective Umpiring having studied Adelaides game style that Razor confirms is a thing Umpires study.

Im not saying it would impact the result, but it could definitely impact a teams ability to score or in Brisbanes case, transition the ball from defence.

Will be interesting to see how many marginal 15m kick/marks get called play on Saturday night.

Very strange crackpot conclusions drawn here. Umpires study up on team gamestyles to be aware of any errors that were previously made both in favour of and against each side. That can be things like short kicks being incorrectly paid as marks, shrugging of high tackles, staging, players splitting off in the protected zone trying to draw a 50, etc.

Each decision or non-decision is carefully scrutinised by the umpire coaching staff and information passed on.

Generally come finals time (although should be all the time) if the call is 50/50 the umpire will not blow the whistle given they are instructed to only pay clear, obvious, and warranted free kicks. Something like an arm chop is heavily dependent on the positioning of the umpire.

 

[eddiesmith]

They definitely do, I remember when the media made a thing about Collingwood’s encroaching on the protected area and next week, 50m penalties were paid against them the next game, but not against other teams.

 

[57 Milner]

Very strange crackpot conclusions drawn here. Umpires study up on team gamestyles to be aware of any errors that were previously made both in favour of and against each side. That can be things like short kicks being incorrectly paid as marks, shrugging of high tackles, staging, players splitting off in the protected zone trying to draw a 50, etc.

Well of course, AFL umpires are of the highest calibre and completely devoid of even the hint of bias and corruption. What sort of crazy person would even question their integrity. Lol

Four men charged over alleged corruption after Brownlow investigation

Police have issued a statement revealing that two Brownlow Medal counts have been looked at.

7news.com.au

Former AFL umpire Troy Pannell jailed over contempt of court charges

Pannell will spend another three weeks in jail after he illegally sold off assets and breached court orders while on the run from police.

www.theage.com.au

 

[aCunningPlan]

Well of course, AFL umpires are of the highest calibre and completely devoid of even the hint of bias and corruption. What sort of crazy person would even question their integrity. Lol

Four men charged over alleged corruption after Brownlow investigation

Police have issued a statement revealing that two Brownlow Medal counts have been looked at.

7news.com.au

Former AFL umpire Troy Pannell jailed over contempt of court charges

Pannell will spend another three weeks in jail after he illegally sold off assets and breached court orders while on the run from police.

www.theage.com.au

What do you suggest as a solution?

 

[Lockyer24]

Well of course, AFL umpires are of the highest calibre and completely devoid of even the hint of bias and corruption. What sort of crazy person would even question their integrity. Lol

Four men charged over alleged corruption after Brownlow investigation

Police have issued a statement revealing that two Brownlow Medal counts have been looked at.

7news.com.au

Former AFL umpire Troy Pannell jailed over contempt of court charges

Pannell will spend another three weeks in jail after he illegally sold off assets and breached court orders while on the run from police.

www.theage.com.au

Its still happening, targeted players are receiving bonus votes

Everyone loves $

 

[MYOB]

It's quite ironic that in the last ever game of AFL football where the umpires bounced the ball, there was not 1 recalled bounce.

 

[aCunningPlan]

It's quite ironic that in the last ever game of AFL football where the umpires bounced the ball, there was not 1 recalled bounce.

Certainly a good note to end on. To be honest though the end of the bounce was never about the occasional recall, it was all about the toll it takes on the old fellas unable to continue who would otherwise still be umpiring if it wasn't for this 'party trick'.

It's not a skill drilled into umpires until they are steps away from the big time, it's strange selections can sometimes be determined by bouncing ability...unlike decision-making, positioning, communication, fitness, which are all fundamental elements honed from under 10's right up to the AFL.

 

[MYOB]

Certainly a good note to end on. To be honest though the end of the bounce was never about the occasional recall, it was all about the toll it takes on the old fellas unable to continue who would otherwise still be umpiring if it wasn't for this 'party trick'.

It's not a skill drilled into umpires until they are steps away from the big time, it's strange selections can sometimes be determined by bouncing ability...unlike decision-making, positioning, communication, fitness, which are all fundamental elements honed from under 10's right up to the AFL.

I was all for keeping the bounce as it is a unique part of our game, but with up and coming umpires not having learnt the skill in local footy, it could not be maintained, which is a bloody shame.

 

[PenfoldsFan]

So what about that 17-4 free kick count to half time in the GF to the Vic clubs favour hey...

Like the 27-7 h2h count in the first 7 rounds that went in the Vic clubs favour...

Or, when 11 goals down in the final game of GR, the 14 frees in a row that went in the Vic clubs favour...

Sure looks like a trend there to me..

239 games played in 2025, I wonder if anyone can find one where an Interstate club got 4:1 free kick ratio over a 1st half or 14 in a row when 11 goals down...

iTs JuSt A sMaLl SaMpLe SiZe

 

[MYOB]

So what about that 17-4 free kick count to half time in the GF to the Vic clubs favour hey...

Like the 27-7 h2h count in the first 7 rounds that went in the Vic clubs favour...

Or, when 11 goals down in the final game of GR, the 14 frees in a row that went in the Vic clubs favour...

Sure looks like a trend there to me..

239 games played in 2025, I wonder if anyone can find one where an Interstate club got 4:1 free kick ratio over a 1st half or 14 in a row when 11 goals down...

iTs JuSt A sMaLl SaMpLe SiZe

You can quote any stats you like, for example an interstate team had the most free kicks in 2025 and a Victorian team had the least amount of free kicks for in 2025. Also a Victorian team had the most free kicks against, and an interstate team had the 2nd least free kicks against.

And finally an interstate team had the 2nd best differential in 2025.

See it's not that hard to mount a case.

And these stats are from a large sample size.

 

[Tap It In]

I was all for keeping the bounce as it is a unique part of our game, but with up and coming umpires not having learnt the skill in local footy, it could not be maintained, which is a bloody shame.

What about if they keep the bounce to start each quarter only? 4 bounces per game and that keeps everyone happy?

 

[MYOB]

What about if they keep the bounce to start each quarter only? 4 bounces per game and that keeps everyone happy?

Because the future umpires are not bouncing the ball at all.

 

[Do the Dew]

So what about that 17-4 free kick count to half time in the GF to the Vic clubs favour hey...

Like the 27-7 h2h count in the first 7 rounds that went in the Vic clubs favour...

Or, when 11 goals down in the final game of GR, the 14 frees in a row that went in the Vic clubs favour...

Sure looks like a trend there to me..

239 games played in 2025, I wonder if anyone can find one where an Interstate club got 4:1 free kick ratio over a 1st half or 14 in a row when 11 goals down...

iTs JuSt A sMaLl SaMpLe SiZe

Check out some Tigers games from the last 8 years. We've been either bottom or thereabouts in free kick differential every year from 2017 onwards and have been on the bad side of some truly horrific counts.

If there is a vic-bias, it certainly doesn't include us.

But yes in the GF this year Geelong were absolutely kissed on the dick. I was very very happy Brisbane won.