Poor umpiring injures the game

AFL umpiring at national level continues to contribute to, and may be the reason for, dangerous tackling and injury. Underperforming, overpaid umpires are making a hash of umpiring under the over-protective eye of the AFL, while the media and the players/coaches are restricted from genuine comment.

If only umpires would apply the rules as laid down and intended, instead of all this interpretation and reading of player intent. If umpires immediately recognised a good tackle and paid immediate free kicks for incorrect disposal, the risks would be minimised. The tackling player would not need to bash the opponent to the ground to gain a free kick or dislodge the ball. Remember a correct disposal is a legitimate handball or a legitimate kick. Not the freefor-all flicks, throws, overhead tosses and lost-in-contact disposals that are excused or overlooked most of the time.

How long will umpires go on allowing players to try to barge into or through a tackle or turn back into a tackle, or get swung around for a few rotations? All with the excuse of trying to get a bounce or to drop a ball near a foot or hand as an excuse for a legitimate disposal. If umpires gave a clear, immediate free kick for legitimate tackles, when a player attempts the barging strategy, they would eliminate the need for a player to be slung to the ground.

Don’t give me all this prior opportunity or intent to dispose palaver. Players are not dumb, well at least not all of them, they know how and when to stretch things to their advantage and will soon adapt to correct umpiring. After all they have adapted quickly to poor umpiring. League clubs. Added to this the State League (National Premier) champions compete in the NPL play-offs to decide the top club (second tier) outside the A League. Local soccer clubs have played teams from Perth to Brisbane.

All the attention is on the AFL and the desire for a Tasmanian-only team. Meanwhile, Tasmanian soccer clubs are already competing in two national competitions. Lord Mayor’s belief in the high level of core services Hobart city delivers. Would it be too much to expect that the budget for the trip is detailed and published and, following their return, the aldermen table a report on the benefits for Hobart.

How many aldermen will travel to Italy next year in celebration of the 20-year sister-city relationship with L’Aquila?