Millburn mouthing off?

[Geelong_Sicko]

I seriously question anyone who actually aspires to being an umpire.

I mean really, who wakes up and says ' I really like footy, I think I'll try and adjudicate a match'.

All through my junior days our umpires were players fathers pressed into the position because of a lack of interested persons for the position.

That's seriously one for the ages, mate. I've always wondered that meself. Where do umpires come from? What motivates them?

 

[BigBadCam]

I remember one of the free kicks Dasher gave Saturday against the lions was because he spit his mouth guard at the other player which was a bit gross

I remember last year when he spat his mouth guard went in the general vicinity of an umpire and he got reported for it.

 

[BlueNWhite]

That's seriously one for the ages, mate. I've always wondered that meself. Where do umpires come from? What motivates them?

Yeah - we really should just go back to having the captains pay the free kicks.

I was a junior boundary umpire for a couple of years in my early teens.

Whilst I get as frustrated with the umpires these days as much as anybody else, the passion that the umpiring fraternity had for the game was just as high as the players - even higher IMO.

Can you imagine being abused by all and sundry, week in, week out and being the most vilified individuals in Australian sport?

I was only a junior boundary umpire (I did it for some extra pocket money - it's great coin for a young lad - and the fitness @ 13-14) and the amount of abuse and disgusting language that was heaped upon me from the spectators every week was phenomenal. I wasn't even making controversial decisions like the central umps were and I was being threatened with violence after the game by big tough men from behind the fence - good on you heroes - threatening some skinny 13 year old just trying to save up for a super nintendo.

The umpires train just as hard as the footy players, preseasons start at the same time, you get promoted and dropped just like regular players and the amount of time in seminars, training sessions and brushing up on the rules requires a HUGE amount of commitment and passion for the game.

I still preferred playing and went back to it after a couple of years as an ump - a decision which was largely fuelled by the disgusting behaviour of spectators and the almost thankless task of ensuring a game runs smoothly and as fairly as possible.

Motormouse - no wonder they have trouble recruiting people who want to umpire.

The motivation behind becoming an umpire I can imagine for many current umps is largely like the motivation behind becoming a police officer - you're passionate about ensuring a fair go for all, but you also know you're going to be largely disliked by large sections of the community.

Many umps were doing it sheerly for the fitness aspect - and many were past players who had done themselves injuries which meant they couldn't compete in a 'contact' sport any more but their passion for the game was such that they still wanted to get involved.

So yes, abuse the umpires. It's a thankless task, never mind the thousands of hours of training, nutrition, homework, gut running, abuse, threats that go into it.

You can question their decisions - they're human like everyone else and like the players they have their clangers.



But never question their passion for the game.

 

[Motormouse]

Look, I totally understand that umpires are human and prone to making mistakes with judgment calls on the spur of the moment and without the benefit of the the replays.

I highly respect the fact that without them, the game would be a whole lot different. Their dedication and fitness levels are beyond reproach. I can also see that being appointed to higher profile matches and finals could be a huge motivating factor.

I just find it amazing that someone would want to take a job that guarantees you'll be seen as the bad guy. I mean it'd be like taking a job as a parking inspector.

As you rightly point out, the fans are disgusting in their attitudes to what happens on the field.

I yell at the television out of passion for the game and my team if I think a slight has been missed or let go, but I never....ever make personal remarks about the umpires, or even the players for that matter.

It might be splitting hairs, but I don't shout at the umpires, I shout at the umpiring decisions (or lack of them), and inconsistency.

 

[BlueNWhite]

Don't get me wrong - I am one of the loudest people at the footy when it comes to questionable umpiring decisions - I just can't handle the "They don't understand the game / don't care" - It's a thankless task and I applaud them for sticking with it. Unless it's a 50/50 decision against my beloved Cats, in which case...>BOOM!!!<

 

[a.f.k.a.y.o.p.]

it is that polish anger...born angry, die angry.

and giving a 50m away in our forward square right in front of our goal and taking the pressure off the lions is inexcusable.

What polish anger Forssy?
And i should know!

 

[darren forssman]

What polish anger Forssy?
And i should know!

your not prone to bouts of out of the blue hot headedness??