Umpires that don’t know the rules

[The Feeder Club]

Umpiring is obviously interpretative and so difficult but you surely can't umpire at the elite level if you don't know the rules.
In the last 15 seconds today Holmes played on immediately before the umpire had even signalled a point, let alone reached for his flag. But the controlling umpire does nothing and play proceeds. Lucky it didn't change the outcome.
This isn't an interpretation issue, it's black and white incompetence isn't it? Not sure who the umpire was, but he needs a spell

 

[Gaborone]

Two different interpretations of holding the ball were applied in the Hawthorn v Geelong game with the advantage very much given to the Cats. It is time the umpires worked out how the rule can be applied consistently

 

[Paul Kersey]

Incredible how it’s always Geelong that benefits.

 

[PenfoldsFan]

Cats averaging +11 frees in every game so far in 2026.

The difference in 'interpretation' today is no coincidence.

 

[The Feeder Club]

There are different interpretations that will always be there in our sport, I am talking about something a bit different though. This isn't an interpretation issue, there is nothing to interpret - you simply can't play on like Holmes did. It's an umpire that either doesn't know the rule or is too scared to enforce the rule. Either way he shouldn't be umpiring at this level

 

[hawkman]

There are different interpretations that will always be there in our sport, I am talking about something a bit different though. This isn't an interpretation issue, there is nothing to interpret - you simply can't play on like Holmes did. It's an umpire that either doesn't know the rule or is too scared to enforce the rule. Either way he shouldn't be umpiring at this level

That umpire should be dropped by the AFL will let it go

 

[BrodeeKF]

Of the list of 42 field umpires this year they can be put in to four categories;

Good: Brett Rosebury, Matt Stevic, Brendan Hosking, Simon Meredith

Incompetent: The other 36 that haven't been named individually

Absolute disgrace to the game: Matthew Nicholls, Eleni Tee

Haven't debuted yet: Sam Morgan, Jordyn Pearson - can't be much good if they can't even get a game ahead of Nicholls and Eleni.

 

[Sentinel]

End of the first quarter in the Saints vs Port game, a Port shot after the siren and a Power player clearly punches the ball over the line. Somehow the field umpires, goal umpire and ARC don't register that it's not allowed, and the score stands.

16.5 SCORING A GOAL OR BEHIND AFTER PLAY HAS ENDED
16.5.2 Football Touched in Transit
A Behind shall still be recorded under Law 16.5.1 if the football is touched in transit by another Player, provided the field Umpire is satisfied that the scoring of the Behind was not assisted by a Player from the same Team.

 

[Generalissimo]

Incompetent: The other 36 that haven't been named individually

Absolute disgrace to the game: Matthew Nicholls, Eleni Tee

Nathan Williamson is as bad as Nicholls.

 

[PenAndPaper]

Nathan Williamson is as bad as Nicholls.

Add in Mollison

 

[kickazz]

End of the first quarter in the Saints vs Port game, a Port shot after the siren and a Power player clearly punches the ball over the line. Somehow the field umpires, goal umpire and ARC don't register that it's not allowed, and the score stands.

16.5 SCORING A GOAL OR BEHIND AFTER PLAY HAS ENDED
16.5.2 Football Touched in Transit
A Behind shall still be recorded under Law 16.5.1 if the football is touched in transit by another Player, provided the field Umpire is satisfied that the scoring of the Behind was not assisted by a Player from the same Team.

Yeah what was going on there.

They'll wait until it ****s up a result before doing anything.

Classic reactive AFL.

 

[Sentinel]

Yeah what was going on there.

They'll wait until it ****s up a result before doing anything.

Classic reactive AFL.

I was praying for a draw or 1 point margin after it happened so this became a headline story.

It's just utter incompetence.

 

[western royboy]

Dogs v Swans - they’re having a shocker - not paying highs, paying highs when players duck into it

Zero consistency

 

[Sentinel]

Umpire Williamson maybe doesn't understand the rules around marks or front on contact, on account on not paying either when Naughton was nearly paralysed last night.

 

[Adelaide Hawk]

Dogs v Swans - they’re having a shocker - not paying highs, paying highs when players duck into it

Zero consistency

Not sure how we can expect consistency when there are 4 umpires. Two people can look at the same incident and have diametrically opposed opinions as to what occurred. Imagine the discrepancy among 4 people.

I've always been bemused by what ruck men can/cannot do. Last night I saw a bulldog player take front position, Grundy was behind. As the ball was thrown in, the Bulldog player jumped, and as he did, Grundy just pushed him aside and won the ball. This used to be an infringement, apparently, it's not now. I'm one who doesn't criticize umpires/umpiring very much because I have no idea what the rules are anymore.

 

[Cactus_]

There should be a tribunal for umpires. Suspensions. Delistings.

 

[two blue tiger]

There's two rule books - the Richmond book and the Rest of The AFL book.

Putrid........

 

[FreoGirl]

there were three on work experience at Optus tonight