Pity about ump ire
WE were robbed. No doubt about it. But in the end that could be a good thing.
I know that sounds like a glass half full argument in a glass half empty situation, but this is the psychology of sport. We must find the upside in the darkness of the tunnel.
For those of you who have no idea what I’m talking about because you weren’t lucky enough to get to the game on the weekend … allow me to fill in the dots.
It’s the final minute of a nailbiting match; Adelaide are up by five points. Geelong are defending and under pressure when Maddy McMahon steps across the goal line with the ball under her arm.
Geelong supporters are used to this scenario. We know it is a dangerous game of inches.
The rule about crossing the goal line was introduced to the AFL in the shadows of the 2008 AFL Grand Final. That one game was littered with Hawthorn rushed behinds. They even kicked the ball over the goal rather than confront Geelong on the field.
This overtly defensive tactic was deemed to be outside the spirit of the game, so the AFL took the bold step and introduced a new rule to outlaw the action of rushing a behind if there is no direct pressure from an opponent.
In theory this works well. It keeps a focus on the attacking and minimises the desire to retreat and regroup if not needed. But the decision is now reliant on an umpire’s interpretation of “pressure”. On Sunday evening at Cat Park we saw an example of this rule being used for bad instead of good.
So, Maddy has got the ball and she is falling towards the goal and she steps across the line and concedes a behind. There is an Adelaide player on her hammer in the goalsquare and so from the stands on the Brownlow wing it looks like a desperate act of defence. But on this occasion the umpire disagrees. The whistle blows. Adelaide is gifted a free kick from point blank range. Danielle Ponter kicks truly and with this one goal the game is sealed for the Crows.
The Geelong crowd erupts with boos and smatterings of witty calls like; “Why don’t you kick it for her?” This response is completely justified.
The siren sounds only seconds after this incident and so the Cats have no hope to win the game. They players regroup and begin to the leave the field with their heads held high. They played their guts out for Geelong.
Coach Paul Hood took the little catastrophe with professional grace.
“I’m not sure whether it was the right call or not but there is not much I can do about it. We just have to get on with it but I thought Maddy played a great game and that is what she should focus on.”
That’s the way. Good leadership. Diplomatic and not even close to getting a fine from the AFLW. But allow those of us in the peanut gallery to throw a few slings and arrows on your behalf.
Never have I seen such a moronic single thought bubble erupt in an umpire’s head and have such a dramatic direct impact on the outcome of the game.
That decision was absolute rubbish.
It was not in the spirit of the game, it was an active intervention. A travesty of justice but … it may well be exactly what the club needs right now.
The AFLW Cats deserved the W. They know this and they probably also know that sometimes an appalling error of judgment can bring unity. The adversity of stupidity can be a bonding experience.
This team is doing so many things right this year.
On Sunday they kicked their highest score.
Hood said he thought this may have been the team’s most complete performance and he is spot on.
Sunday afternoon was a celebration of athleticism and unpacking potential.
The Cats AFLW team was terrific against Adelaide. Both sides were kicking straight and playing for keeps. Geelong ran and shared the ball, they broke the lines, took on the opposition physically and mentally and left their hearts out on the field.
This is an exciting young team that plays with pace and skill.
They play the Geelong way. Can’t wait to see them get the results they deserve.
It’s easy to be proud of this bunch. This team is so good for Geelong.