When is the AFL going to fix the goal umpiring problem?

Enrico_Misso · Sat 01 Oct 2011 9:07pm

In 2009 it can reasonably be argued that an atrocious amateur goal umpiring clanger from a presumably blind or biaised incompetent moron cost us the game.
Geel scored 6 points instead of 1.
Instead of us kicking in with the ball in our hands it went to a centre bounce from which Geel went forward and goaled.
The whole game then goes down a different path.
Yes we might have lost by more, but it might have swung our way.
And Goddard wouldn't have broken his collarbone (we saw the next year his value in the last qtr of a GF).

Two years later the problem still isn't fixed.

Today a shot that clearly hit the post was paid as a Collingwood goal.
Whilst players protested and the replay clearly supported them, there is still no formal process to over-rule this.

On the two wrongs make a right theory it would have been poetic justice if Geel lost by 4 points or less.

It is a major indictment on Dimwit/Anderscum that they still haven't fixed this problem!!!

plugger66 · Post: # 1153851Post **plugger66** » Sat 01 Oct 2011 9:14pm

How do you fix it though?

BushDave · Post: # 1153857Post **BushDave** » Sat 01 Oct 2011 9:18pm

I must admit that I have been impressed a few times this year when the central umpire has consulted witht the Goal Ump and Boundary Umps b4 making a decision.

I was amazed when that did not happen today, given that it was pretty obvious and the players pointed it out immediately.

My view is that sometimes, in big games , the umpires are influenced by the crowd roar etc and don't follow the same process they should. Maybe it's an umpire training issue?

Bernard Shakey · Sat 01 Oct 2011 9:18pm

Many times this year we've seen umpires consult when players have disputed a score. No consultation this time even though the goal ump initially went to signal a behind.

BigMart · Post: # 1153868Post **BigMart** » Sat 01 Oct 2011 9:26pm

2009 would have been nice

battye · Post: # 1153871Post **battye** » Sat 01 Oct 2011 9:28pm

1 video referral per team per game? I'm not a huge fan of referrals, it seems like a very American thing to do (and it hasn't helped cricket IMO) and I'm sick of the AFL rule changes. But it's the only thing that can be done as I don't think more umpires are the solution.

Limit it to 1 referral, I'd even go as far to say 1 correct or incorrect, because things like this don't happen that often and you wouldn't want to see it used for marginal decisions. Ideally you wouldn't want to see any referrals used in a game.

That way it would only be used for absolute howlers of a decision.

plugger66 · Post: # 1153873Post **plugger66** » Sat 01 Oct 2011 9:30pm

battye wrote:1 video referral per team per game? I'm not a huge fan of referrals, it seems like a very American thing to do (and it hasn't helped cricket IMO) and I'm sick of the AFL rule changes. But it's the only thing that can be done as I don't think more umpires will help.

Limit it to 1 referral, I'd even go as far to say 1 correct or incorrect, because things like this don't happen that often and you wouldn't want to see it used for marginal decisions. Ideally you wouldn't want to see any referrals used in a game.

That way it would only be used for absolute howlers of a decision.

The problem with that is it wouldnt have helped us in 2009. No one even said anything. Zac just piut his head up in disgust at what he did.

Enrico_Misso · Sat 01 Oct 2011 9:41pm

Well I think in most cases an incorrect decision could be sorted out by the umps if they consulted.

1) If the goal ump is unclear he should consult the adjacent boundary and field umps.l

2) If the goal ump makes a decision but one or more of the boundary/field umps think it is wrong, they should immediately form a huddle and "advise" the goal ump.

That should correct 90% of incorrect decisions.

But
3) If the defence protests then the umpires should have a conference. If they can't solve it then the decision must stand.

The only alternative then would be to introduce a next step
4) Given technology perhaps the coaches can have the right to 3 appeals per match. Then the decision can be referred to a third umpire (or is that 4th) who can adjudicate from the replay.
If the decision is against the appeal, the original decision stands and the other team gets a free kick from the centre of the ground (which would discourage frivolous appeals).

saintsRrising · Sat 01 Oct 2011 9:42pm

This time the ump was right under it looking up.....so 4 goal umps would not have helped.

However another ump watching a TV could have and should have quickly over-ruled in clear cut cases such as this.

remboy · Post: # 1153904Post **remboy** » Sat 01 Oct 2011 9:46pm

The worst thing about todays decision was that the goal umpire was in perfect position to see it. From that point I was just hoping that Collingwood wouldn't win by less than a goal. The goal umpire would never have been allowed to live it down.

perfectionist · Sat 01 Oct 2011 9:47pm

saintsRrising wrote:This time the ump was right under it looking up.....so 4 goal umps would not have helped.

However another ump watching a TV could have and should have quickly over-ruled in clear cut cases such as this.

Yep, and given that almost every goal isfollowed by ads, which result in a one minute delay, the replay could solve the obvious problems. It should certainly be done for finals where there are many more camera angles and more ad breaks.

Enrico_Misso · Sat 01 Oct 2011 9:48pm

Well the ump went to signal a point but then seemed to change his mind.
Probably the demented toothless hordes sitting behind him spraying their abuse!

Iceman234 · Sat 01 Oct 2011 10:05pm

Enrico_Misso wrote:Well the ump went to signal a point but then seemed to change his mind.
Probably the demented toothless hordes sitting behind him spraying their abuse!

That was the key today, the goal ump clearly thought it was a behind but was very quickly over-ruled.

Ridiculously quick.