Absolutely spot on.No, we shouldn’t.
Mistakes happen and that is part of sport. The problem is every game there’s about 10 decisions that no one knows if it’s a mistake or it’s the rules.
If the AFL are having their own weekly good (umpiring) call bad (umpiring) call segment, then the game is broken.
The AFL have made the rules so convoluted by changing rules every season (and even mid season) because of one off incidents or because they want the game to be higher scoring (seriously) that no one knows what the actual rules are now. For every rule there’s another rule that contradicts it. Players, fans, umpires have no idea and the same incident could result in 5 different decisions . So we all wait like children for the AFL to explain what we just witnessed.
I don’t suggest there is conspiracy but there sure is a lot of ‘luck’ that you’re going to get the run of the green. Nothings black and white and you just hope the 50/50 calls go your way.
It’s gotten worse every year and the AFL need to blow up the rules and go back to basics.
1 howler every other round is expected. 10 every single game, is not.
It needs to be fixed at the source. Clear, simple rules that aren't open to umpires' interpretation, and we all (players, coaches, commentators, fans) know what to expect when an incident occurs.
Right now, we have NFI.
Holding the ball.
Ruck contests.
Deliberate out of bounds.
Rushed behinds.
Blocking.
Defenders trying to defend in marking contests.
I could go on - it's a complete raffle.