Umpires - Appalling

[Leg End]

There was a real buzz about this contest in the first half. Swans, rebuilding, are playing arguably the best team in decades.

Gablett is unmatchable. Scarlett is back. We had defenders out. Geeong DID NOT need any help.

The umpiring in the first half was appalling - tantamount to cheating.

Not only were we penalised for any even apparent transgression, but we were constantly denied obvious frees or decisions. This gave geelong a massive weight of possession and MOMENTUM.

We did well to match it with the Cats - but it seems the umpires were there to ensure that we would not get close.

THEN, for Mummy to get suspended in light of ROK incident previously is a joke.

AFL still need to prove that they are not the VFL in the 70's.

 

[bedford]

I agree about the umpiring on Sunday, but you have a decent hatred of Victoria.

 

[MF]

Yeah, I didn't really want to complain about the umpiring after the match as it would have just come accross as sour grapes but it was definitely of a pretty poor standard all day. I think it mainly favoured the home team but the whole game was brought down by over officiating and soft free kicks every 5 minutes.

The 2 early ones that stood out for me were the first 2 contests involving Scarlett and Bradshaw. 1st Contest: Clear tug of Bradshaw's jumper just as he begins to lead. 2nd Contest: Scarlett's left arm over bradshaw's shoulder and around his neck. In fairness, I did notice the umpire was on the wrong side to see the 2nd one but it was there.

It's not like we haven't become accustomed to being shafted by the umps away from home but the umpiring on Saturday was just poor all round.

 

[bedford]

What about the mark taken off Goodes, within range, Rohan head taken off, Kennelly the same.

 

[disgruntled goat]

Like MalFan says, going off about the umpires straight after the game is sour grapes, and we didn't get beaten specifically because of the umpiring. But footy is so much about momentum.

There's no doubt we were a worthy rival in the first half, and particularly in the first quarter, if we'd been given a couple of those blatant free kicks (to Bradshaw and Rohan, and I think O'Keefe) and had Goodes not been robbed of that mark, there was a chance we could have established a lead of 2-3 goals or more, and it's at such periods momentum is absolutely crucial.

Our second half efforts might have been different had we gone into the main break 15-20 points up. For starters, the confidence would have been much greater.

It's not an excuse, but the umpiring definitely affected our early momentum.

 

[GoTheSwannies]

i chose not to complain about the umpiring because we played so poorly that it didn't make a difference... most of the bad calls were early on in the game...and sure we may have had a 2 goal lead after quarter time...but we really had another 3 quarters to assert ourselves and we failed to do that on each occassion...

we were completely blown off the park after half time...

some calls didn't go our way...but that happens...and didn't have a dramatic effect on the result imo...

also, geelong is one team where "early momentum" means nothing....they can pour on 4 or 5 goals in a 10 minute spell and ice a game...

same thing happened against the dogs in the last couple of years...we had early momentum...even managed to capitalize on it and gain a healthy lead only to have them go on a run...

we were beaten by the better team on the day...we had some crucial outs and will surely do better next time we meet...lets not dwell on a couple of things that didn't go our way

 

[Dangas]

they are only human after all

 

[Leg End]

they are only human after all

Paul Roos has come out, after Mummy's suspension, saying he is confused about how he should teach our guys to tackle. ROK got smashed and concussed for a worse tackle - but no action. Mummy gets 2 weeks - which is now incredibly damaging for us as we are left without ruckmen.

Roos said it's pointless talking to Jeff Gieschen - they've tried that so often before.

It comes down to one thing. The Swans get appalling treatment from umpires - regardless of whom they play and where.

This team deserves respect - and we don't get it from these bloody Victorian prima donnas. It's tantamount to fraud.

 

[GotTheGoodes]

Paul Roos has come out, after Mummy's suspension, saying he is confused about how he should teach our guys to tackle. ROK got smashed and concussed for a worse tackle - but no action. Mummy gets 2 weeks - which is now incredibly damaging for us as we are left without ruckmen.

Roos said it's pointless talking to Jeff Gieschen - they've tried that so often before.

It comes down to one thing. The Swans get appalling treatment from umpires - regardless of whom they play and where.

This team deserves respect - and we don't get it from these bloody Victorian prima donnas. It's tantamount to fraud.

Hey hey hey... Whoa.... Hold on there..... "Victorian prima donnas"!?!? Now hold on there a minute.... I love the swans & agree the umpiring was a disgrace... Let's not start throwing around jibes at the greatest state in Australia though mate.....

 

[whiteandred]

What sort of person sits down and decides "I'm going to make a career of umpiring!" ...?

For a start, you must have sucked at EVERYTHING ELSE that you ever had a go at!!!

So it stands to reason that the very best umpires are totally incompetent!

... same as when you think an umpire is cheating your team ... they are not capable enough to determine what is a good or bad decision, so their bias is never intentional.

If you live by this reasoning, you will never be dissapointed by an umpiring/referee decision in any sport, and you will remain calm and live longer. ... a message from the heart foundation.

 

[Leg End]

What sort of person sits down and decides "I'm going to make a career of umpiring!" ...?

For a start, you must have sucked at EVERYTHING ELSE that you ever had a go at!!!

So it stands to reason that the very best umpires are totally incompetent!

Umpires are try-hards who couldn't cut it as players - but want to still hog the limelight on the big stage. As Victorians, their beliefs would reflect what most Victorians feel about the Swans - resentment - "they get preferential treatment, more money from the AFL than our local teams etc etc". When an umpire goes into matches with this disposition, the "bounce of the ball" decisions sem to desert the Swans en masse.

The facts prove this. Even though the boys made 2 grannies and all those finals in the last 8 years, we were the most penalised team in the competition. If this was the Bulldogs coached by Libba, then you'd say "fair enough". But this is Goodes, Kirk, Bolton(s) etc coached by Paul Roos. There is no way that these guys are so undisciplined that they would be the most penalised team year after year for 8 years. It defies all logic.

The first half against Geelong was appalling. There seemed a genuine intention that the Cats would get 90% of possession no matter what.

Call it what you want. I call it fraud.

 

[BarneyBent]

Umpires are try-hards who couldn't cut it as players - but want to still hog the limelight on the big stage. As Victorians, their beliefs would reflect what most Victorians feel about the Swans - resentment - "they get preferential treatment, more money from the AFL than our local teams etc etc". When an umpire goes into matches with this disposition, the "bounce of the ball" decisions sem to desert the Swans en masse.

The facts prove this. Even though the boys made 2 grannies and all those finals in the last 8 years, we were the most penalised team in the competition. If this was the Bulldogs coached by Libba, then you'd say "fair enough". But this is Goodes, Kirk, Bolton(s) etc coached by Paul Roos. There is no way that these guys are so undisciplined that they would be the most penalised team year after year for 8 years. It defies all logic.

The first half against Geelong was appalling. There seemed a genuine intention that the Cats would get 90% of possession no matter what.

Call it what you want. I call it fraud.

Do you really think all umpires are Victorian? They come from all over the country.

 

[Daggersworth]

What sort of person sits down and decides "I'm going to make a career of umpiring!" ...?

For a start, you must have sucked at EVERYTHING ELSE that you ever had a go at!!!

So it stands to reason that the very best umpires are totally incompetent!

... same as when you think an umpire is cheating your team ... they are not capable enough to determine what is a good or bad decision, so their bias is never intentional.

If you live by this reasoning, you will never be dissapointed by an umpiring/referee decision in any sport, and you will remain calm and live longer. ... a message from the heart foundation.

This is the kind of attitude which makes sure the standard of umpiring will always stay low.

Why would a talented junior umpire want to make it to senior ranks when they are going to cop this kind of abuse? Some of the most talented junior umpires quit because of supporters who make these kinds of accusations and abuse.

When you hear about umpires who fear for their safety just getting to their cars after the game, it really makes you want to have a hard look at yourself.

I'm not defending the standard of umpiring in the AFL but we, as supporters, are just as responsible for the shite standard of umpiring as the coaching or development in the junior leagues.

 

[Leg End]

This is the kind of attitude which makes sure the standard of umpiring will always stay low.

Why would a talented junior umpire want to make it to senior ranks when they are going to cop this kind of abuse? Some of the most talented junior umpires quit because of supporters who make these kinds of accusations and abuse.

When you hear about umpires who fear for their safety just getting to their cars after the game, it really makes you want to have a hard look at yourself.

I'm not defending the standard of umpiring in the AFL but we, as supporters, are just as responsible for the shite standard of umpiring as the coaching or development in the junior leagues.

The best umpires are the ones you don't notice - who don't influence a game. footy is about watching great footy players - not prima donnas relishing the fact that they are in teh spotlight and can influence proceedings.

Listen to the way umpires talk to players - the attitude is "I'm the boss, do as you're told".

My issue is that the bad treatment of our club has been so bad, and has influenced results and is a very, very bad look.

Also- Fact is - if you pick out the 2-3 umpires who nail us every time, they're all Victorian.

 

[whiteandred]

I think you misinterpret my post.

I NEVER abuse them, and frown on those who do. I ALWAYS shake their hand after a game, encourage them and congratulate them on their performance. There is no question that they do their best ... best analogy is to compare them to someone who works in a sheltered workshop ... it is just accepted that they will make costly mistakes, but you still pay them every week, and NEVER admonish them for a clanger! ... which is precisely what Jeff Gieshen does week in, week out!

So, to maintain your sanity, just don't expect umpires to be any bloody good at what they do, then you will never be disappointed, and you will keep your blood pressure in an acceptable range!

 

[Leg End]

I agree about the umpiring on Sunday, but you have a decent hatred of Victoria.

Actually, no hatred for Victoria. But - every Victorian friend or acquaintance has a similar attitude about the Swannies - they believe we get a huge legup from the AFL compared to Vic teams. Now, if are an umpire and you are Victorian, you will have the same resentment or disrespect for the Swans - and this will translate (as it has) into decisions that fall against them. It's human nature.

When teh head of AFL comes out and calls you "ugly" - even tho we played faulous contested footy - then the umps would think even more that the way we play is bad - which doesn't help in decisions for or against us.

Ironically, BBBHall's free stats were 2 for, 1 against - possibly the best result from umpires he has ever had. But (1) he had to return to Victoria to get it and (2) it was against the Swans.

 

[bedford]

The game was in Canberra ( and the only game on in the ACT last week ) and are you related to Vonn 69.

 

[Leg End]

And now the umpires rip into us at our home ground against Freo!

That was fraudulent - they way we were treated. The umpires manage to conjure up 4 or 5 free kicks in front of goal for our opposition - but we never seem to get one ourselves.

There should a be a royal commission into this fraud.

 

[MF]

I thought you went a bit far after the last couple of games Leg end but Saturday's umpiring was shocking. I can understand that it's a difficult game to umpire and that they will make mistakes... a lot. But I can't accept or understand is how interpretations of the same rule can apply to one team but not the other so consistently over the course of a game. Freo were better and deserved their win but the umps need to be held accountable for that sort of shit.

 

[Leg End]

I thought you went a bit far after the last couple of games Leg end but Saturday's umpiring was shocking. I can understand that it's a difficult game to umpire and that they will make mistakes... a lot. But I can't accept or understand is how interpretations of the same rule can apply to one team but not the other so consistently over the course of a game. Freo were better and deserved their win but the umps need to be held accountable for that sort of shit.

Thing is - when weren't being penalised out of it and got some momentum, we dragged it back to 18 points THEN bang! bang! couple of terrible frees against us and we're gone, no momentum.

It tells me that umpires have a pre-dsposition to get us for every thing they can - but turn a bit of a blind eye to the opposition.

Shaw's holding the ball was laughable. he was wrapped up absolutely on the split second he caught it. the hawks didnt even appeal that loud. And it was right in front.

So often, I see the swannies do the same - but somehow the ump conjures up an "in the back' when the guy falls forward.

Problem is - we go into each game hoping we wont get smashed too badly by the umpires - but you know we will get a rough deal. With all our injuries now, a slight imbalance will kill us.

 

[Skystyler]

I hate the way that once the result is beyond doubt, the shit decisions start flowing our way.

 

[WoGiTaLiA]

This was the first game this season where I felt the umpiring was really bad.

Most games the umpiring is awful, but it isn't one sided it's just poor umpiring, this game though felt one sided which was a pity.

We probably didn't deserve to win but it should have been closer and a couple of really poor umpiring decisions and non-decisions swung the game away from us. The Rohan and Playfair non-calls at the goal square and the Hasleby decision all were very poor.

 

[MF]

I hate the way that once the result is beyond doubt, the shit decisions start flowing our way.

Agreed. You could tell the umps went into 'even it up' mode 10 minutes into the last quarter. We were getting 50/50 technical free kicks behind the centre circle every 2 minutes.

 

[Leg End]

Agreed. You could tell the umps went into 'even it up' mode 10 minutes into the last quarter. We were getting 50/50 technical free kicks behind the centre circle every 2 minutes.

In some way shape or form, Paul Roos has to adopt the following approach. get some journalist to note the stats and be quoted "it's frustrating that the boys are not coached to cheat - but we are penalised as if they were simply a dirty team". He can say, again, that it's a waste of time talking to Gieschen - and then invite journalists to watch last 2-3 games and next 2-3 to se what he's talking about. In other words, expose what the umpires do - and put pressure on them.

This way - you influence umpires to inhibit their pre-disposition to rule against us - to think more carefully before penalising the Swans willy nilly.

 

[Leg End]

Well - tonigh is anexample of umires trying to beat the swans - but doing it so blatantly, they didnt even try to hide it.

This was the classic combination of (1) looking for every excuse to penalise Sydney and (2) depriving Sydney of frees for anything short of murder.

Those umpres last night were nothing less than fraudulent. there should be a commission.