Has the White Flag has gone up?

[mattys123]

I havent been able to get much information out of what actualy went down in the meeting between the AFL and Collingwood this morning, but it does appear that the white flag and peace pipe may have been part of the meeting. Seems Eddie and co. basically are quite happy with the situation and the outcome of the meeting.

Got this off Real Footy;

http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/rf...ir-over-umpires/2009/04/22/1240079708821.html
McGuire 'clears air' over AFL umpires

Scott Spits | April 22, 2009 - 11:28AM

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire believes the club has opened up a "communication pathway" with the AFL after today's meeting with the league about rules and umpiring.
"We had some robust discussions and we were able to clear the air. We were able to walk out as the Collingwood Football Club feeling a lot better about our relationship with the AFL operations and the umpires," McGuire told reporters after the meeting at AFL House.
"Apart from a few spotfires here and there, we've been very supportive.
"We walk out of here having no issue with the umpires as far as the rest of the season is concerned."
The Magpies have been under close scrutiny over two issues stemming from Friday night's victory over the Brisbane Lions: coach Mick Malthouse's reaction to a 50-metre penalty, and their sniping about umpire Scott McLaren's contact with midfielder Shane O'Bree.
It remains unclear whether Malthouse or the Magpies have been fined as a result of today's meeting with AFL officials.
"I know that we're going to work constructively together," McGuire said.
"A lot of the issues that we had with the AFL they were able to tell us they were considering anyway, so that's good.
"More than anything it means that we've opened up a communication pathway, so we can make sure that things don't fester and boil up.
"They understand now the pressure that applies to a football club and it's personnel on a week-by-week, quarter-by-quarter basis. We were able to get that message across.
"We want to support the umpires. We've not criticised the umpires at Collingwood. We've been critical sometimes of the interpretations they are forced to endure."

Sorry about the title, lol.

 

[Optimax]

i dont think we will ever know whats been said

But it doesnt sound like a white flag, more we argued, then argued some more and we all feel better now

 

[pipeline]

i dont think we will ever know whats been said

But it doesnt sound like a white flag, more we argued, then argued some more and we all feel better now

Exactly. There was never any chance of anything sudden or dramatic coming out of it anyway. If, as Ed Said, a few things are being looked at, then that's as good an outcome as we could expect. It's certainly not hanging out the white flag.

 

[Quicky]

We've not criticised the umpires at Collingwood. We've been critical sometimes of the interpretations they are forced to endure

Sounds like we are more upset with the rules than with the umps.

I guess our "robust discussion" would have been regarding the rules and maybe the rules of the game committee. Its actually a clever way not to ostracise the umpires but still get our opinion across.

 

[Ant85]

In hindsight, I don't think the AFL can resist for too long. They are aware that the game this season is frustrating everyone (clubs, coaches, players, fans, media), and it is a result of their interpretations. This frustration, coupled with the economic crisis, might actually force people to lose interest in the sport. I believe this what Eddie would have argued.

The AFL can't deny this isn't the case, but is trying to save face. Many argued that the tinkering of the rules, and the over-emphasis on interpretations and umpiring will result in a backlash. The AFL didn't listen, and as stubborn as they are, pressed ahead with their changes. Now we are seeing the backlash, but the AFL won't admit it was in the wrong.

Nonetheless, the AFL knows it can't push too many buttons, and the public anger expressed by Eddie and Kennett shows that some are willing to fight the AFL head-on if it doesn't start listening.

Judging by Eddie's comments, it appears they might have actually started listening.

This is another excellent article on Real Footy that's well worth a read.

 

[Smoky]

This is a great result. What Eddie has said pretty much is we will move forward and publically support the umpires, but our treatment over the start of this season has been pathetic. the treatment of the collingwood fc for voicing their concerns in the press by the AFL has been unacceptable and Collingwood fought it strongly. the AFL will never say they were wrong on anything and we will accept that... BUT...

The thing I find really interesting is that Collingwood called for this meeting last week, why the hell did it take so long for the AFL to free their time to hear Collingwoods gripes? If the AFL had come forward to Collingwood last week and said lets nip this in the butt and do it straight away (before another game is played)... would there have been the issues in the press over the weekend? Havent Collingwood been seeking clarification and a meeting for a while now? I seem to recall that there was talk of this at the start of the year (after the pre-season umpiring debarcle) I may be wrong, but it seems the AFL just wanted to fight this in the press so thats what Collingwood did.

If you request a meeting to find a solution to a problem with the umpires and the AFL put off the meeting as long as possible and the problems keep occuring what other choice did they have?

3 quotes of Eddies


"More than anything it means that we've opened up a communication pathway, so we can make sure that things don't fester and boil up." - So this means we wont have to wait over a week for an answer, no more hiding from the AFL on our issues.

"A lot of the issues that we had with the AFL they were able to tell us they were considering anyway, so that's good." - So we were right! But the AFL thought if they just ignored us, it might go away... wrong!

"I know that we're going to work constructively together," - They arent just going to completely ignore the seriousness of issues of our club, and will deal with it with more priority rather than just trying to bad mouth us in the press - you know act like adults who are supposed to be running a multi billion dollar industry with one of it 16 "Most important assets to its business".

This is a win for all AFL clubs.

Eddie McGuire - thankyou (Should have been the thread title)

 

[Jabso]

IMO the AFL comes out of this weaker. They went in all guns blazing saying "Collingwood can't do this" and now they come out saying they are considering some of our issues.

 

[Smoky]

IMO the AFL comes out of this weaker. They went in all guns blazing saying "Collingwood can't do this" and now they come out saying they are considering some of our issues.

I agree - but I heard later on today that the AFL (AA) was going to be holding a press conference at 3:30pm today to comment on the meeting with Collingwood... has anyone heard anything or are they too embarrassed to say Eddie was right!

 

[bothfeetshanker]

Yep, the white flag has gone up.....but it has black stripes all over it! Sounds like a good outcome and maybe some common sense has finally emerged from the recently very murky confines of AFL HQ.