Sadly, the game is not the same

AFL players are no longer able to showcase the raw skill, aggression and talent that is the bedrock of the game due to rule changes and umpiring overkill, writes Christopher Garity

AUSTRALIA’S great indigenous football game, played by highly skilled superfit men of all shapes and sizes, is no more.

The game’s fabric has been stripped beyond repair.

The players’ instinct and emotions have been eradicated forever and 46 robots will be lining up weekin week-out unless there is a major and immediate overhaul of current rules.

We are experiencing the greatest overkill with the laws of our game and on field penalties given to firstly, protect the players’ welfare and, secondly, any dissent shown to the umpires from poor and incorrect decisions made.

I will premise all I have outlined by openly declaring the AFL has been excellent in eradicating the raised elbows, king hits and thuggery with their harsh suspensions. The overkill with umpire dissent however is downright wrong.

Ever since our game has been played, umpires have always been protected from abusive language and disrespect and the offending player has always been reported and/or suspended for doing so.

This game does not need this overkill and supporters, fans and many current and past players from all levels of the game are flabbergasted.

The players of today and in future generations are slowly being turned into robotic zombies who must not show their true instinctive game sense, hardness and footy awareness due to the shambolic rule adjustments.

There is a distinct chance of a major penalty being applied for a minor infringement.

Prime examples of this are the fact two men, with eyes purely on the ball, if they collide and only one suffers an injury and or concussion, the other is suspended. How ridiculous.

A player when executing a vigorous tackle in desperation must now ensure it does not hurt the opposition player with either a sling or deliberate downward motion when taking him to the ground.

Dangerous-tackle penalties in recent weeks have been incorrect 50 per cent of the time and I am not in the minority when outlining this fact – just listen to the commentary, either on television or the radio.

The ballplayer has less time to gather then dispose of the football than ever before, before he is gang-tackled by up to three men at a time. There’s no reward for the ballplayer.

If the umpires make a monumental blunder with a decision and a player shows his true feelings without being abusive and puts his hands out, a 50m penalty will immediately apply.

Again, how ridiculous. The cost could be a catastrophe in a final, especially the ultimate game of the season.

When two ruckmen face off for a round-the-ground ball up, the umpire asks, who is up. Why? They are being treated like under-12 schoolboys.

The rule simply states a free kick will be paid if a third player from either side contests a ruck contest, so why the question?

The AFL wants our game quickened yet, when the ball goes out of bounds, the boundary umpire waits for up to 20 seconds to throw it back in. Why, we ask?

If a player in his endeavours kicks the football into open space in a forward manner and it trickles out of bounds mainly due to a poor bounce, he is immediately penalised for not keeping the ball in play despite his clear positive intentions – terrible logic from the law enforcers!

The stand rule is being enforced in a manner akin to teaching a new puppy to sit and, on hearing stand, stand 50 times a game.

While the umpires are in a no-win situation, the outer is mad as hell. It is obvious season 2022 was showing a decline in attendances and after this past fortnight I cannot possibly see how what is occurring on field will increase attendances.

Finally, the football commentary for the past fortnight is confused, befuddled and in disbelief at how the AFL has directed the umpires to enforce the rules on dissent.

In summing up, I feel sorry for the current player and coaching panels trying to teach any footballer the most important facets of our game.

Players ‘ adrenalin and testosterone levels peak when crossing the white line to play a game they love, representing a club they love, doing the job they love and being followed by thousands of fans watching

today The players of and in future generations are slowly being turned into robotic zombies

a game many of us loved with a passion for decades. But the very fabric of this once-great game is being eroded by socalled experts in their endeavours to make our game safe and build an umpire base currently lacking in numbers.

Here’s some extra advice for the AFL – reduce the central umpires at all levels to two and, problem solved, there are umpires readily available for all levels of the game.