TOPIC:

The season is barely a month old and there's already been some 4-5 odd games called off due to "escalating situations". This sucks for everyone as there's alot of work and travel involved to get teams on the paddock every week.

What's going on? Are the umpires panicking? Are players and supporters over-stepping the mark? Is the WAAFL enforcing a zero tolerance approach to an extremely physical contact sport? Would love to know from people who WERE AT these games.

Don't get on here and bag out certain clubs...would be fantastic to get some non-biased opinions.

Hawk eye's thread is very similar...ironically I didn't have my glasses on.

In our game on Saturday I believe the umpires over reacted but obviously they are allowed to do so. Our club umpire is a much sought after umpire who also umpires in the Avon league on Sundays and has many many years of experience. He often seems bias against us but we have a very good relationship wit him.
What happened on Saturday was that the opposing teams umpire did not show up so our reserves umpire,who also does the Avon league stepped up. He could only do it until half time at which point they(the umpires)were controlling the game. At half time he was replaced by some nuffy from Roleystone who was nowhere near as competent or diligent in his duty to protect the playing making the ball the object but we continued to do so.
I may be wrong but i believe it was his decision to call the game off.
Not sure how it works if the other umpire has to follow suit but I'm assuming so.
We were quite disappointed with our umpire for calling the game off but as I reflect I can understand that they may see it in a different light.
My main disappointment was that Roleystones game style changed once the realised they were being made to look stupid.

The swan view-roleystone game was called off by the umpires for not a lot. Both teams, after the scuffle, were in their huddles, 40 meters apart, not gesturing or mouthing off at one another, everything had settled, then after a minute the umpires decided to walk off. Not a good luck for the umps. Let the teams play. The fact it was so one sided probably had something to do with one clubs umpire wanting to leave more than the other. Really disappointing to see them walk off.