Mr Magic wrote: ↑Fri 26 Mar 2021 10:33pm
Did Brisbane just lose a game because an umpire didn’t pay an obvious free 5 metres out from goal in the last 20 seconds?
Probably not. The rule changed a few years ago. Before then, it should have an obvious free for "incorrect disposal" or "dropping the ball" as the fans would say. However, now, you are allowed to drop the ball as long as you have not had a chance to dispose of it - "a prior opportunity". So if you get it, and the next action is to try to kick it, but miss and drop it, it's play on. On the other hand, if you have had a "prior opportunity" and drop it, then it's a free. So, if you get it, think about a handpass, change your mind and try to kick it and miss, then it's a free for incorrect disposal. Of course, the change in the rule introduced more "interpretation" into the officiating than before, the rationale (I assume) being that there are less frees and the game moves more quickly. On the incident in the goal square, it was 50/50. Blicavs didn't drop it immediately (he was half swung) but didn't try to do anything else with it either. He is a slow thinking player which is why I saw it as 50/50 - one of those more likely to go to the home team than the away team.
On the issue of throws, the ship has sailed well and truly on that. Once, a throw was easily identifiable because only one hand could do the directing of the ball, the one hitting the ball. Now, both hands can direct (it seems) which leads to a handpass over the head which should be automatically deemed a throw (but isn't). The throw from Hawkins resulted in a goal and was very poor umpiring. If we really want the game to "move along" we should get rid of handpassing and allow the ball to be thrown. But that won't ever happen.