TOPIC:

Just putting it out there, but how have other players, support staff and spectators found panel umpires in the top three grades so far this season??

Any dramas with the current holding the ball interpretations and interference in marking contests?

This is obviously a talking point with the AFL umps especially if you are a Weagles supporter!!

They can still not get the slide in at the knees rule right.
Very inconsistent in that area.

Found all matches in League and reserves to have been umpired very well for Wanneroo. Great job Umps

I think the umps do their best in very difficult circumstances. Its not the umps that make the rules to difficult to understadn its the AFL. For those that wereat the coaches conference it was made clear that the AFL directs how umpires must follow the game.

The umpire advisor made it clear the game isnt about tackling, its about marking and kicking and as such the umpires are told to call play on when the ball spills in a tackle, not reward the player for executing the tackle skill properly.

Its all part of the AFL plan to try to make the game higher scoring and relieve congestion.

This then makes things difficult for umpires players and spectators to follow

premiership hangover wrote: I think the umps do their best in very difficult circumstances. Its not the umps that make the rules to difficult to understadn its the AFL. For those that wereat the coaches conference it was made clear that the AFL directs how umpires must follow the game.

The umpire advisor made it clear the game isnt about tackling, its about marking and kicking and as such the umpires are told to call play on when the ball spills in a tackle, not reward the player for executing the tackle skill properly.

Its all part of the AFL plan to try to make the game higher scoring and relieve congestion.

This then makes things difficult for umpires players and spectators to follow

PH, best explanation I've heard so far for where the game is now at. Incorrect disposal seems to be ignored nowadays at all levels but this explains perfectly.

KicktheBall the interpretation for the contat below the knees has changed. So that might be the answer for the inconsistency.

Overall I think the umpires are do a good job. Remember we are Amatuer footballers and we are bound make mistakes because we aren't superstars just like the umpires aren't either. As far as I'm concerned the umpires rewarded the player who his prepared to put his head over the ball and win it.

I'm sure the umpires would be happy to answer any questions. Maybe head down to Hamer Park on a Monday or Wednesday and see what they do.

premiership hangover wrote: I think the umps do their best in very difficult circumstances. Its not the umps that make the rules to difficult to understadn its the AFL. For those that wereat the coaches conference it was made clear that the AFL directs how umpires must follow the game.

The umpire advisor made it clear the game isnt about tackling, its about marking and kicking and as such the umpires are told to call play on when the ball spills in a tackle, not reward the player for executing the tackle skill properly.

Its all part of the AFL plan to try to make the game higher scoring and relieve congestion.

This then makes things difficult for umpires players and spectators to follow

See this doesnt make sense to me. Surely rewarding the tackler with a free kick would make the game higher scoring and relieve congestion more than allowing the ball to spill on the deck.
Ball on the deck = scrap = more time for players to get to the contest = congestion.
Ball on deck = scrap = ball up = congestion
Tackle = free kick = kicking it forward (usually) out of congestion with the opportunity to score.

I seem to remember the same talk PH but the way I remember.... it was the rules were written around the player with the ball not the tackler. It's about penalising the player with the ball not the rewarding the tackler.

Umpiring across all grades that we have been involved in has been pretty good (apart from my rant from last weekends colts/reserves). The only downside i have seen is that some of the umpires aren't in the best shape and umpire the game from within the centre square only and they do miss quiote a few free kicks as they are sometimes up to 60 - 70 metres from the play. One other noticable part of this season so far is that a lot of players on the ground think that they are umpires as well and continually will offer there advice to the umpires on what they think the decision should be. Let the umpires do there job and the players should concentrate on what they are there to do and that is play footy!

I thought it has been really good so far in B grade. Umpires missing a few as they always will.

One thing that Im really pleased about is that, the "holding the ball" rule where the player gets tackled straight away isn't being paid in the WAAFL. I dont like that in the AFL, but its good that they are umpiring with some common sense.