Analysis Umpires

[JustaBattler]

You also need to consider frees that he doesn’t pay.

I was sitting in the front row right in front of a boundary throw in…Williamson was only a few metres away and closer to play than I was. Cripps was getting a scragged and had his head ripped off. Williamson could not have been in a better situation and was looking straight at Cripps, yet decided to do nothing.

I think the point was made about that mate -but thanks for posting what you saw live TV misses a lot of stuff - he is a dead set strange one that ump.

 

[OldBlueFan]

The worst part about this discussion is the way the people-who-don't-want-to-read-criticism-of-umpires feel the need to paint the criticisms at the most extreme end of possible interpretations. I've only ever seen one or two posters claim an outright anti-carlton agenda, and yet every poster who decides to criticise umpiring is lumped into the "conspiracy theory" basket, and their posts are treated with contempt.

It's a shame that this is the case as it stifles any meaningful discussion.

 

[thylacine60]

meaningful discussion? on umpires? has the nutter conspiracy thread just became the funster thread..........? .......meaningful discussion.........funny stuff

 

[OldBlueFan]

meaningful discussion? on umpires? has the nutter conspiracy thread just became the funster thread..........? .......meaningful discussion.........funny stuff

OK, I'll bite. Despite your insistence on ridiculing me without the courtesy of tagging me in your reply.

I think that a large part of the criticism of umpiring comes from the fact that our game is seemingly adjudicated differently in different circumstances, for instance:

1. Inside the forward 50 arcs versus outside them.
2. Late in games versus earlier ("the umps have really put their whistles away!!").
3. Adjudications for actions by forwards against defenders versus the same/similar actions by defenders against forwards.
4. In finals versus Home & Away games.
5. In wet weather versus dry weather.
6. Whenever the AFL decides there's a "rule of the week".
7. And again when the AFL instructs them to back off on last week's Rule of the Week.
8. Probably others that I can't think of right now ...

I don't know of any sport in the world where this is true. The rules are the rules and they are applied equally regardless of the in-game circumstances.

Once the umpires alter their interpretations/adjudications in any situation whatsoever, supporters are more likely to pick up on such discrepancies and "see" them in other circumstances; and of course, these supporters bring their own biases into their consideration of these situations.

 

[Arr0w]

AFL is probably the only 360 degree game, where umpires have too many variations in decision making due to the number of grey areas in most rules

Perhaps the focus should be directed at the AFL, to amend the rules, either to eliminate or minimize the varied interpretations, rather than the angst directed at umpires

 

[ctwenty1]

AFL is probably the only 360 degree game, where umpires have too many variations in decision making due to the number of grey areas in most rules

Perhaps the focus should be directed at the AFL, to amend the rules, either to eliminate or minimize the varied interpretations, rather than the angst directed at umpires

Or we get rid of umpires altogether.

 

[goreds]

Or we get rid of umpires altogether.

 

[ctwenty1]

when the game first started, captains would officiate...

Oh for the days of honour and chivalry

 

[DangerousD]

AFL is probably the only 360 degree game, where umpires have too many variations in decision making due to the number of grey areas in most rules

Perhaps the focus should be directed at the AFL, to amend the rules, either to eliminate or minimize the varied interpretations, rather than the angst directed at umpires

Whats your tip for the new high tackle ruling this week? I mentioned ages ago that the first thing to consider when making any change should be, does this make the rule easier to umpire? If the answer is no then don’t do it.

I have a feeling this change is going to make things harder.

 

[Arr0w]

Whats your tip for the new high tackle ruling this week? I mentioned ages ago that the first thing to consider when making any change should be, does this make the rule easier to umpire? If the answer is no then don’t do it.

I have a feeling this change is going to make things harder.

Think it makes it easier, as a secondary moment to draw a high free, is essentially prior opportunity

There will still be inconsistency, but it will reduce the number as a whole

 

[FlowersByIrene]

Williamson could just be a terrible umpire and we and happen to get the bad end of the stick.. but if that's the case he's terrible to the point of being negligent. In law, if you leave uncoated electrical wires around a construction site with the power on - you don't get to shake it off as an accident when the place burns down. You are responsible through negligence, even if you didn't do it intentionally. That is Williamson.

 

[Gethelred]

when the game first started, captains would officiate...

Oh for the days of honour and chivalry

Call me a mite cynical, but I don't think the captains of that era would've been all that honourable, considering the captains of subsequent eras and how violent the game used to be.

 

[FRUMPY]

Whats your tip for the new high tackle ruling this week? I mentioned ages ago that the first thing to consider when making any change should be, does this make the rule easier to umpire? If the answer is no then don’t do it.

I have a feeling this change is going to make things harder.

watch the media go nuts about the amount of high tackles not paid this week and the rule needs to be changed.......

 

[ctwenty1]

Call me a mite cynical, but I don't think the captains of that era would've been all that honourable, considering the captains of subsequent eras and how violent the game used to be.

Apply the normal rule of law and that thuggish behaviour would disappear

 

[Gethelred]

Apply the normal rule of law and that thuggish behaviour would disappear

Not sure if serious. The 'normal rule of law' in Australia at the time of the game's formation was a good deal... rougher than it is at present.

 

[Blue Warrior]

AFL is probably the only 360 degree game, where umpires have too many variations in decision making due to the number of grey areas in most rules

Perhaps the focus should be directed at the AFL, to amend the rules, either to eliminate or minimize the varied interpretations, rather than the angst directed at umpires

 

[ajb72]

Can I just say, the decision by the umpire when he blew the whistle to ping Walsh for holding the ball, and changed the decision because he kicked it, was the best umpiring decision I have seen this year.
He could've easily just gone, you took too long to dispose of it, but realised he was about to make a mistake and called a ball up.
Well done ump.

 

[Gethelred]

Can I just say, the decision by the umpire when he blew the whistle to ping Walsh for holding the ball, and changed the decision because he kicked it, was the best umpiring decision I have seen this year.
He could've easily just gone, you took too long to dispose of it, but realised he was about to make a mistake and called a ball up.
Well done ump.

Wish that'd happen more often. You see a lot of HTB decisions where the player gets a legal disposal off but the ump pings them anyway.

 

[thylacine60]

Can I just say, the decision by the umpire when he blew the whistle to ping Walsh for holding the ball, and changed the decision because he kicked it, was the best umpiring decision I have seen this year.
He could've easily just gone, you took too long to dispose of it, but realised he was about to make a mistake and called a ball up.
Well done ump.

wonder how many "good" decisions he has to make (of the dozens each game) before we talk about the number on his back..........

 

[Brackets]

All the focus was on the out of bounds in the Freo v Roos match but I thought this was much worse.

Play had stopped at this point and the umpire clearly tells Walters to come around on the correct line. Walters, who is not even close to the correct line, ignore this and plays on. The umpire just gives up and calls play on.

Umpires will make mistakes but giving up their control of the game is quite poor.

 

[Jabba73]

All the focus was on the out of bounds in the Freo v Roos match but I thought this was much worse.

Play had stopped at this point and the umpire clearly tells Walters to come around on the correct line. Walters, who is not even close to the correct line, ignore this and plays on. The umpire just gives up and calls play on.

Umpires will make mistakes but giving up their control of the game is quite poor.

View attachment 1641108

They have done the same the last two games we have played. Tigers and Cats are masters of ignoring the umpires.

From slowing down play while on the mark or kicking from up to 8 metres off the correct line, the umpires refuse to halt play or pay a 50m penalty for blatantly ignoring their instructions. It’s poor and it is an easy fix. Ignore the instruction and the penalty should be 50m or take the ball off them and throw it up.

 

[BigFrizz36]

I, also have been disappointed in the umpiring so far this year.

Not enough to complain about. Seriously I believe that the four umpires is a winner, haven't seen them get in each others way.

Don't agree with every decision but overall the game seems to he flowing well.

 

[ajb72]

and here I thought the umpiring so far in what i've seen of the footy, has been pretty good.

I dont think ive seen any "howlers" missed.

 

[thylacine60]

I, also have been disappointed in the umpiring so far this year. Overall the game seems to he flowing well.

 

[Stamos]

I dont think ive seen any "howlers" missed.

Saad's tackle at CHF in the 3rd that was a blatant holding-the-ball not paid, straight to Geelong goal was a howler.
And all the holds on Charlie against the Tigers.

But in general they've been ok.