It is surely vital to recognize the definition of goal line technology before we debate the Score Review System. We all know the AFL have got this wrong at present, but how do we make it better?
Firstly, define goal line technology. If it is to be a review system that captures potential errors by a goal umpire, than it should reflect activity within 2 metres of the goal line, where it can be difficult for a field umpire to call and where a goal umpire has best view.
If it is more than two metres out, the field umpire should call it as it is, at the time and that should not be reviewed.
In other words, the score review system should be restricted to goal line decisions. But as was the case a couple of weeks ago, even that has been lack luster.
When there are two glaring examples (cricket and tennis) of review technology that work 95% of the time, it's hard to see how the AFL got this so wrong in the first place. No matter how many other angles you use, only one will be definitive enough to warrant a review system. That is goal post cam.
A set of post cameras (one in each post facing inwards and angled to view the goal line) along with on screen guides could easily illustrate the "ball over the line" scenario. It would also provide a touched ball response within 2 metres.
It won't, however, solve the problem that called for the review in the first place. If the goal umpire is unsighted as to which side of the post the ball travels (or if it glances the post), then use hawkeye and hot-spot.
The review decision should be at the discretion of the umpire (not players), but which one? An umpire should trust their initial call, so it shouldn't be the goal umpire. Giving them a fallback only creates doubt in their mind.
The field umpire is normally not Ina position to call for a review in the first instance. If each scoring shot was relayed directly to a "review umpire", then the game can go on. Once the reviewing umpire determines a change in decision, then reset the play (and the clock) accordingly.
Scenario 1. Goal umpire calls a true goal a behind. In this instance, players would kick the
Ball out and within 30 seconds the field umpire will be notified of the decision correction. Play will be reset as a bounce and the clock will be reset to that time.
Scenario 2. Goal umpire calls a true behind a goal. In this instance, by the time the ball is back in the centre, the decision correction would have been delivered to the on-field umpire, resetting the play as a kick in instead.
With this system, if the ball is touched within 2 metres of the goal line, it should be detected. Outside of this range, it remains up to the field umpire to call it, as he would in many other situations.
This system also removes the wasted time of inconclusive or unwarranted reviews.
If the AFL chose to address this issue, it is an all or nothing debate. Either don't have a decision review system, or spend the money to implement the above.
