Umpires

[1eyedog]

Here we go again another useless thread about umpires. Umpire bashing is becoming as common as bottled water these days but what I don't understand is the inconsistency throughout the length of an entire game by the same umpire. I have no set example, it is an impression gained from watching most games of footy this year. The first quarter is umpired differently to the third quarter and the last quarter is umpired differently than the other three. Do umpires just say 'Bugger it I've got sore lips I'm sick of blowing this thing I'm going to put it away until the first quarter of next week?'

Seriously, why do umpires pull out a million free kicks in the first half and barely blow the whistle when the going gets tough? Do they honestly miss that many free kicks in the last quarter in the midst of the battle or are they too timid in case they make a bad decision, potentially influencing the game result? Why is there so much diversity in the decision making process through four quarters of football. It really gets on my nerves even when the Bulldogs aren't playing and bad/too many decisions often spoils a good game of footy. What can be done? Is more criticism from Kennett and Malthouse and co actually going to help or incite an official review?

[Before I Die]

Re: Umpires

Are players often inconsistent across the four quarters? Clearly, the answer is yes. Why is this the case? Fitness, nerves, .......?

Same question, probably same answer.

[1eyedog]

Re: Umpires

I would argue the players role is X100 of that of umpires, although I see what you are alluding to. An umpire runs around and goes decision, decision, a player busts his gut, gets smashed and then does it all over again. I think we can expect a little more consistency from umpires, it's the only thing they have to do out there, make decisions I mean. I'm not sure if any data exists but I would like to see how many free kicks are paid per quarter. I'd wager that the percentage of free kicks per quarter goes down markedly the further the game progresses while (IMO) more free kicks are obvious, especially in tight games where players are tired and the scores are close.

[Mofra]

Re: Umpires

Umpires have an impossible task. As much as the inconsistencies piss me off, I don't think there is a way amongst a pool of 12+ umpires, with rules that are highly open to interpretation, to achieve consistancy.

[1eyedog]

Re: Umpires

Yep spot on I suppose. It's almost a rhetorical question. There are way too many contingencies for consistency so there is no singular explanation for it. I''ll live with it but it is still a huge detraction from the game itself IMO.

[Bornadog]

Re: Umpires

You know what, its useless getting heated up about umpires as once the decision is made, there is stuff all you can do about it. Very few games are decided by the umpires.

[AndrewP6]

Re: Umpires

You know what, its useless getting heated up about umpires as once the decision is made, there is stuff all you can do about it. Very few games are decided by the umpires.

No, but quite a few are spoilt by them...

[Rocket Science]

Re: Umpires

You know what, its useless getting heated up about umpires as once the decision is made, there is stuff all you can do about it. Very few games are decided by the umpires.

Not sure I'd concur. I've seen numerous decisions/non-decisions at critical junctures in games this year alone.

If they unduly influence the result of one game, it's one too many.

[The Adelaide Connection]

Re: Umpires

Umpiring has become a bit like solving a tough mathematical equation, so many formulae and rules to remember that it has become difficult and complicated and they are understandably finding it hard to make a good judgement or get the right answer at times.

It is hard not to get frustrated, especially when different umpires in the same game are interpreting these rules differently. But I agree the finger of blame should be pointed at the blokes behind the desks who are almost ocd with their kneejerk tinkering of the rules from year to year.

[The Adelaide Connection]

Re: Umpires

Just an afterthought, so far the controversial 'rushed behind' rule has seem to work quite well, but is anyone else exceptionally nervous about this massive grey area?

I just feel that, like the deliberate out of bounds, they are going to be reluctant to pay it until that one moment in a tight contest, in a massive game, when the crowd sweeps them up in the moment and it will cost a team (hopefully not us) the game.

It is a ticking timebomb...

[Go_Dogs]

Re: Umpires

Full time professional umpiring is the only way to help fix these issues. I've been saying it for a few years now. Some in the media are starting to sprout the same thing...hopefully soon enough it happens.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Umpires

3 things about umpiring

-Dont show them on TV (if possible)

-Dont mention their names

-Dont play the audio from their mic's

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: Umpires

Just an afterthought, so far the controversial 'rushed behind' rule has seem to work quite well, but is anyone else exceptionally nervous about this massive grey area?

I just feel that, like the deliberate out of bounds, they are going to be reluctant to pay it until that one moment in a tight contest, in a massive game, when the crowd sweeps them up in the moment and it will cost a team (hopefully not us) the game.

It is a ticking timebomb...

It's working very well so far but it's still a disaster waiting to happen.

So far the umpires have handled it fantastically well, not paying it until the player (Pratt) has given them no other possible option - good for them - but at this stage every player is petrified of the rule.

The next thing that will happen is players will start to get a bit more comfortable with it and start pushing the umpires patience a bit more. The handball through that just missed a teammate, running it over the line while under 'pressure' (or not?). That's when the umpires will really be under the pump and a glory hunter like Chamberlain will pull the trigger while a less experienced (and less egotistical) umpire will let it go.

[Sedat]

Re: Umpires

It's working very well so far but it's still a disaster waiting to happen.

So far the umpires have handled it fantastically well, not paying it until the player (Pratt) has given them no other possible option - good for them - but at this stage every player is petrified of the rule.

The next thing that will happen is players will start to get a bit more comfortable with it and start pushing the umpires patience a bit more. The handball through that just missed a teammate, running it over the line while under 'pressure' (or not?). That's when the umpires will really be under the pump and a glory hunter like Chamberlain will pull the trigger while a less experienced (and less egotistical) umpire will let it go.

We've been the worst team at handling the new rule so far - I counted 2 goals that we conceded directly as a result of panicking near our defensive goal line against Carlton, and then there was the Addison brain fade against North that cost us another goal.

I also fear that the rule will become less consistently interpreted as the season unfolds.

[1eyedog]

Re: Umpires

Not sure I'd concur. I've seen numerous decisions/non-decisions at critical junctures in games this year alone.

If they unduly influence the result of one game, it's one too many.

Agreed. While we didn't kick straight anyone remember the Brad Johnson decision in the second half of the last quarter in last year's Prelim? I bet you all do and we were still a show at that juncture.