Free kick counts don't ever tell the whole picture, so the stats 46% (frees for non-Victorian side) to 54% (Victorian side) does not make it an obvious point. The main issue I have is the 50/50 calls can seriously go in favor of one side, and when it's an obvious free to the other side, it does not get paid or the umpire says "I didn't see it". This leads to a miscue of the stats.
Bias is a natural phenomena, there's nothing really wrong with it iif it's at a reasonable level. However, there are times it's obvious to any AFL fan that the game is clearly not umpired on a consistent level for both teams. In most cases if the team is clearly the better side, and if they're playing to a home crowd, then the probability is high that the free kick count will be in their favor (or in the least draw even). But in the Cats v Crows game, the Crows lost the free kick count 17 to 23.
I hope the umpires umpire in the spirit of the game this coming GF. Just let the better team win, that's all I ask!