What about letting the club umpires do the Thirds and registered umpires the Seconds and Seniors? I'm not sure that the Senior coach would want a player risking injury or fatigue doing such a job. As for players learning the rules, it's a fair call but have seen umpires in GV Seniors make basic blues as well; ball being kicked in by a player who played on and it goes over the boundary untouched being an example. Regardless, games being called short of full time doesn't auger well for the competition and certainly puts a dent in any arguments for raising the age group to 18.5 or 19.





